Deshaun Watson officially requests trade from Houston Texans

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter

Jan 28, 2021, 8:40 AM Updated: 8:44 am

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It looks like the Deshaun Watson era is already over with the Houston Texans. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Watson has “officially” requested a trade from the Texans.

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

The Texans hired Baltimore Ravens assistant David Culley to be their next head coach on Wednesday evening, but Schefter reported that the request came several weeks ago, so it really never mattered to Watson who the Texans hired as their new head coach.

Watson signed a four-year, $156 million deal this past season to keep him in Houston until 2025. He has a no-trade inclusion in his contract, but given the length of his contract and the possibility of franchise-tagging him for three years, the Texans could choose not to trade him and would have control of his rights through the 2028 season.

Now the question turns to what will the Texans be offered for Watson’s franchise quarterback services. A player of his age and caliber will make any price skyrocket on the open market and the Texans will have to play hardball to get what they believe they are owed. So, a mere first-round pick (like that of a Matthew Stafford trade) won’t be enough.

Watson set career-high numbers last season in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. He also threw a career-low seven interceptions and his 33 touchdowns and 4,823 passing yards were also single-season franchise records.

Per ESPN, in 54 games with the Houston Texans, Watson’s 104 passing touchdowns and 14,539 passing yards rank second in Texans franchise history behind Matt Schaub (124 touchdowns and 23,221 passing yards in 90 games).

What should the Broncos offer Watson? Most of The Fan hosts would be willing to give up a lot to bring the 25-year-old quarterback to Denver.