The Houston Texans continue to tell any team that calls that they are not trading Deshaun Watson, league sources told ESPN, meaning the standoff between the team and its franchise quarterback will continue.
Watson still wants to get out of Houston and, according to sources, doesn’t want to play for the Texans anymore. But no matter how many phone calls they receive on Watson, the Texans insist they will not trade him, sources said.
Other teams around the NFL have gotten that message and are now waiting to see if the Texans’ stance will change, but sources both within and around the organization told ESPN their position will not change.
As speculation about Watson continues to grow, the Texans have made strides by making sweeping organizational changes. Last week, they fired football administration director Kevin Krajcovic, equipment manager Mike Parson and his staff, and another longtime employee, Doug West.
Parson is said to have a close relationship with Watson, and these changes don’t suit the players well.
One player personally commented to ESPN that the Texans are weeding out employees not hired by Executive Vice President Jack Easterby and new CEO Nick Caserio, replacing them with employees who will be grateful for their work.
These changes are not expected to help the situation with Watson, who has asked the Texans to trade him.
Watson, who signed a four-year, $ 156 million contract extension in September, is under contract through the 2025 season. He has a no-trade clause, but given the length of his contract and the option to franchise him for three years. 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.