Deshaun Watson | Tim Warner/Getty Images
No new developments have come out of the Deshaun Watson situation for some time. The only real change over the last several weeks has been a shift in positioning by the Houston Texans when speaking publicly about the matter. A few months ago, whenever GM Nick Caesiro or head coach David Culley or owner Cal McNair was asked about Watson, they adamantly stated he was a member of the team right now and the foreseeable future. Now, after the sexual harassment and assault lawsuits have gone public and several of the accusers have come forward, the Texans forward-facing position is that they ll evaluate the situation after the legal proceedings have played out.
Houston Head Coach David Culley Reiterates That Deshaun Watson is Currently a Member of the Texans
Deshaun Watson | Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
As of now, Deshaun Watson is a member of the Houston Texans. Despite his desire for a trade and the possibility that he will sit out 2021 rather than don a Texans uniform again, the team has refused to take any calls about a potential trade. For now. It makes sense that their new head coach/general manager combo in David Culley and Nick Caesiro are in no rush to ship off their best player. It s worth waiting to see if there is even the slimmest of chances that Watson can be appeased and will still play for the franchise.
Deshaun Watson | Michael Hickey/Getty Images
We re only in the early stages of the Deshaun Watson situation in Houston. Rumors leaked about a month ago he might want a trade. Last week the official report made the rounds that he requested Texans management to send him elsewhere. New Texans GM Nick Caesiro said the team does not want to do that. That s where we re at. Until now.
The latest report comes from Chris Simms, who said a source he trusts very much said Watson would refuse to suit up if Houston does not acquiesce to his trade demands by the start of next season (starting at the 2:15 mark of the below video).
J.J. Watt | Scott Halleran/Getty Images
At the beginning of the 2020 NFL season, a Houston Texans team absent both Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt was near-unfathomable. The two have come to define the organization both through their stellar play and consistent presence in the community. Now it is January 2021 and the thought of both playing different uniforms is not only a realistic possibility, it s downright expected.
Watson s relationship with the team has grown more rotten than the oldest tree branch and he has officially requested a trade. The team s forward-facing message is that they have no interest in trading their superstar QB, because of course they don t have interest in doing so. But nothing we ve heard so far indicates there is even a remote chance that Watson will change his mind and show up for camp in August. Barring a miracle, Watson will be in a different uniform come September.