HOUSTON – Speaking for the first time since his introductory press conference, Houston Texans coach David Culley reiterated that the team is committed to quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“We are very committed to Deshaun as our quarterback,” said Culley. “He’s our quarterback. He’s the only guy we have under contract at the moment, right now.”
Watson requested an exchange, less than six months after signing a four-year $ 156 million contract extension that runs through to the 2025 season. Watson’s exchange request came after the quarterback was dissatisfied with the process used by the team to hire general manager Nick Caserio in January.
Watson has a no-deal clause, but given the length of his contract and the possibility of marking him for three years, the Texans could choose not to negotiate and would have control of their rights until the 2028 season.
When asked if Texans are going to negotiate Watson, Culley said, “Deshaun Watson is a Texan from Houston. And we are committed to him.”
Culley said “as of now, there is no contingency plan” if Watson prefers to stay out instead of playing for Houston.
The new Texas coach met with Watson during Zoom in mid-February, where the quarterback reiterated, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, that he never wants to play for Houston again. Culley refused to say what the two argued, saying that he wanted to keep it between him and Watson.
When asked if Watson was committed to the Texans in the same way that Culley says the team is committed to the defender, Culley said, “Yes, he is.”
After referring to the Texans’ commitment to Watson by signing him with an extension contract, Culley said: “I feel that this same commitment would be made for us [from Watson] Furthermore.”