Texans’ new GM Nick Caserio says team has ‘zero interest in trading’ QB Deshaun Watson
New head coach David Culley, who was introduced at a news conference Friday, and recently hired general manager Nick Caserio each expressed a strong desire to keep the 25-year-old franchise quarterback.
“Organizationally, we just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio, a day after reports emerged that the three-time Pro Bowler had expressly requested a trade in recent weeks.
“He’s had a great impact on this organization, a great impact on a lot of people, a great impact on this team. We look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started.
“We have zero interest in trading the player. We have a great plan, a great vision for him and for this team and his role on our team. We look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring.”
Watson was apparently upset by what he perceived as the franchise’s failure to fully integrate him into the GM and head-coaching searches. Watson, who hasn’t said anything publicly, is also unhappy with what he believes is the organization’s lack of commitment to social injustice issues, according to ESPN.
“The best way you handle relationships is to communicate, be honest and be forthright. We’re going to do that with everyone in this building,” added Caserio.
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However, given how rare it is for a team to part with an ascending quarterback of Watson’s caliber, the Texans would likely seek an unprecedented return of assets if they decided a trade was the only path forward.
Culley didn’t sound like a man who believed his new team’s relationship with its quarterback was beyond repair. How much did he know about the discontent when interviewing?
“Deshaun Watson is a Houston Texan,” Culley said when asked. “That’s all I was concerned about and all I knew. Whatever’s been said about what he wanted to do … he is a Houston Texan. I want him to be a Houston Texan. The reason I’m in this position today is because I knew he’s going to be a Houston Texan. The outside stuff that’s been said is irrelevant to me.
“The most important thing to me is figuring out what can I do after talking with (everyone).”
Still, the Miami Herald recently reported that Watson would like to be sent to the Jets given his admiration for newly hired coach Robert Saleh. His second choice would be the Dolphins.
Watson signed a four-year, $156 million extension last September that doesn’t take effect until 2022. The deal contains a no-trade clause that would basically enable him to approve prospective trade destinations.
Caserio gave no indication any movement was imminent, though it stands to reason he’ll have to weigh all his options well before the draft commences April 29.
“Our timeline is we’re a one-day-at-a-time organization,” Caserio said. “We’re all about work and doing all we can to maximize that day. That’s what we’re focused on.
“We’ll deal with tomorrow tomorrow.”
The Texans were already facing a challenging offseason before learning their most important player wanted out. The team is nearly $18 million overspent on its salary cap, per Over The Cap, and does not have a first- or second-round pick in this year’s draft. Both selections were traded to Miami in 2019 by previous coach/GM Bill O’Brien in a package involving left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Watson, 25, the club’s first-round pick in 2017, passed for a league-leading 4,823 yards in 2020 and a career-best 33 touchdowns.
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