Deshaun Watson is not expected to change his mind about wanting to leave Houston, regardless of who the Houston Texans hire as their next head coach, ESPN reported on Sunday.
The disgruntled Pro Bowl defender has been the subject of commercial speculation since the end of the regular season, after it was reported that he was unhappy that he had no contribution to the team’s off-season signings.
Watson said he identified the Jets and the Miami Dolphins as their two main potential commercial destinations, according to the Miami Herald. His official Instagram page even “liked” a screenshot that depicts him on the last page of The Post last week, along with the title “WATever It Takes”.
Watson has not yet publicly requested an exchange “nor have the Texans shown any interest in negotiating it, according to the sources,” reported the NFL Network on Sunday.
The Texans ignored the recommendations of Korn Ferry – the consulting firm they hired to find a new general manager to replace the ousted trainer / GM Bill O’Brien in October – including ESPN analyst Louis Riddick and vice president of management for Steelers football, Omar Kahn.
Instead, Texas President Cal McNair and Vice President of Football Operations, Jack Easterby, went with longtime Patriots director Nick Caserio.
Watson also reportedly was upset to learn about Caserio’s hiring on social media. He has a no-trade clause in his $ 156 million five-year contract, which means he can dictate any commercial destination.
As for the coach search, Texans should request a second interview with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier after Sunday’s AFC Championship game between these teams.
Houston has interviewed former Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell, as well as longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Baltimore Ravens assistant coach David Culley.
Watson, 25, led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards this season, with 33 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, the lowest point in his career for the Texans, who finished with a 4-12 record.