Deshaun Watson officially requests trade from Houston Texans

The Houston Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson have a fractured relationship that is irreparable in the eyes of the Pro Bowl signal-caller.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday morning that Watson has  officially requested a trade from the franchise that selected him 12th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Deshaun Watson officially has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, per league sources. He actually did it weeks ago. Their new head-coaching hire, David Culley, has not and will not alter Watson’s thinking.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2021

On Wednesday evening,  the Texans made their head coaching hire official in David Culley, a longtime NFL assistant coach who spent the last two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.  As Schefter notes, Culley’s hiring did and would not impact Watson’s thinking, and he has requested a trade.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah points out that a Watson trade could loom into next season, where Watson’s patience and pocketbook may be tested.

Here’s the 1 thing that will impact this situation with Watson more than anything else- his willingness to sit and lose money. I think he’s a very principled dude and he would be willing to do that. This is how he gains leverage. Threat of financial loss doesn’t bother him.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 28, 2021

The Texans are coming off a 4-12 season in which Watson led the league in passing yards with 4,823, and finished seventh in passing touchdowns with 33.