HOUSTON – Quarterback Deshaun Watson has filed for a trade with the Houston Texans, sources in the league told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday.
Watson submitted the request to the team weeks ago, sources told ESPN.
The Texans’ new coach, David Culley, has not changed Watson’s thinking and will not, sources told ESPN.
Watson has not spoken to new Texas general manager Nick Caserio or executive Jack Easterby, sources told ESPN.
Watson, who signed a four-year, $ 156 million contract extension in September, is under contract through the 2025 season. He has a no-trade inclusion in his contract, but given the length of his contract and the ability to sell him three years of franchise tagging, the Texans could choose not to trade him and would have control of his rights through the 2028 season.
The trade request comes after Watson was reportedly unhappy with the process the team used to hire Caserio in early January.
After Watson signed his contract extension last year, he was emotional when he discussed how happy he was to be committed to the franchise and the city.
“It’s just a great time for me to extend my career in a location, in a place, in a house, I would say, what my family loves, what I love,” Watson said in September. “Above all, I want to continue to dive into the community and just continue building my legacy, just building our legacy as a whole and doing something we’ve never done before.”
Watson set career highs last season in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage. He also threw a career-low seven interceptions. His 33 touchdowns and 4,823 passing yards were also franchise records for one season.
The quarterback’s best individual season came in a season when the team went 4-12 and fired head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien after a 0-4 start.
Although he has only played four seasons (54 games), Watson’s 104 passing touchdowns and 14,539 passing yards are second in the history of the Texas franchise behind Matt Schaub (124 touchdowns and 23,221 passing yards in 90 games).
Watson is currently the NFL’s leader in completion rate behind New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. In 2020, he became only the 11th player in NFL history to complete at least 70% of his passes in one season.