Maybe there is something to this morning's report by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who said that there have been whispers that an unhappy Deshaun Watson might request a trade from the Houston Texans. Analyst Benjamin Allbright quickly shot down the report from the Texans' perspective, stating that the team would require three first- and three second-round picks even to start considering moving on from their franchise quarterback.
Then you have the player's perspective.
Watson is "extremely unhappy" with the organization. NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed that the rift is due to the quarterback's lack of involvement in the processes for hiring a new general manager and new head coach after being told by the Texans that he would be allowed to provide feedback. The team reportedly didn't seriously consider Watson's input in the hiring of new general manager Nick Caserio, and the quarterback is not returning calls from Texans brass.
#Texans QB Deshaun Watson is extremely unhappy with the organization after owner Cal McNair informed him he would be involved in the GM and coach hiring process and provide feedback… but then did neither in the hire of GM Nick Caserio, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2021
Deshaun Watson has not spoken to #Texans brass in the last few days, though they have tried to call him. https://t.co/6ObYHqrdgB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2021
This has nothing to do with the actual hire of GM Nick Caserio. It has to do with the process. https://t.co/6ObYHqrdgB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2021
Rapoport's counterpart at ESPN, Adam Schefter, reports that Watson did offer his input on potential general manager candidates, but none of his suggestions were considered. The Texans also didn't inform Watson that they intended to hire Caserio. Watson learned of the hire on social media.
Then there was last year's trade of star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Watson was left in the dark about that move too, which led to "some disappointment," according to Schefter.
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It is important to note that, should Watson force a trade, the Texans would likely still require a lot from any interested teams. Would it be the haul that Allbright specified? Maybe. Could Watson force a divorce for less? Perhaps. Would a lot of teams be interested if the quarterback did force a trade? Absolutely.
Watson recently signed a four-year, $156 million extension that keeps him signed through the 2025 season. His average salary per season of $39 million ranks second only to Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Florio speculated that the San Francisco 49ers could be among the teams clamoring to acquire Watson, should the three-time Pro Bowl selection become available.
Houston made Watson the No. 12 overall pick out of Clemson in 2017. He led the league with a career-high 4,823 passing yards through 16 games in 2020, completing 70.2 percent of his passes while throwing 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions.