Don’t do that, Texans. You can not do that.
The noise will continue to get louder, but Houston is unlikely to negotiate with Deshaun Watson this off-season, despite the quarterback’s request to change.
I know this storyline has been like catnip to speak across the country in search of hot topics to debate in the coming months, but running a fantasy trade like football shouldn’t be in the cards for a franchise looking to recover from a tumultuous 2020 campaign that featured a four-win season and the unceremonious dismissal of coach / general manager Bill O’Brien – not to mention, the shocking switch of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the backstage turbulence supposedly revolving around vice executive president of football operations Jack Easterby.
Despite a public relations nightmare that painted Texans as a mess in disarray, CEO Cal McNair and new GM Nick Caserio must do everything in their power to keep Watson for the long term. And Caserio, in turn, did he strongly expressed his desire to retain the franchise’s quarterback at Friday’s press conference to introduce new Texas coach David Culley.
“Organizationally, I just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio. “He had a big impact on this organization, a big impact on a lot of people, a big impact on this team, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring, once we start.
“And, you know, we have no interest in changing the player. We have a great plan, a great vision for him and this team and his role in our team. We are looking forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring. “
Some may choose to analyze Caserio’s words, but I, for one, hope that he is in fact fully committed to fixing the franchise’s relationship with Watson. It’s a no-brainer.
Despite all the drama surrounding Texans last year, the 25-year-old defender has just created his best individual season, displaying remarkable game-making skills and leadership skills while earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl nomination. Watson led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and yards per attempt (8,9), while also posting brilliant numbers in percent completion (70.2), touchdown-to-intercept ratio (33: 7) and rating of dowel (112.4). All of this despite the fact that Houston did not have a real number 1 receiver on the perimeter and launched a leaking offensive line.
With that in mind, there is no way for Texans to think of transferring Watson for an abundance of treasures. Sure, the thought of three first-round choices (or more) can be an attractive ammunition to rebuild a declining franchise, but the presence of a five-star franchise quarterback is worth its weight in gold. That’s why Houston just you can not pull the trigger in a deal involving No. 4.