The Houston Texans are turning the page on the Deshaun Watson era.
According to Aaron Wilson from the Pro Football Network, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has informed the Cleveland Browns that he will waive the no-trade clause and go to the AFC North club.
The move comes after 14 months wrought with drama and tension more appropriate for Bud Adams’ Oilers than the Texans. Watson was upset with the process of how general manager Nick Caserio was hired. Presumably, the club hired David Culley, who developed a good rapport with Watson at the 2020 Pro Bowl in Orlando, to bring Watson back into the fold but to no avail. Watson reportedly met with Culley and told him he had no intention of playing for the Texans ever again.
Regardless of who the Texans hired as coach in 2021, Watson wanted out. Caserio attempted to downplay the significance of Watson seeking a trade during the Jan. 29 introductory press conference for Culley.
“He’s had a great impact on this organization, a great impact on a lot of people, a great impact on this team, and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started,” Caserio said. “And we have zero interest in trading the player. We have a great plan, a great vision for him and for this team and his role on our team and we look forward opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring.”
The vision took a twist as the Texans dealt away Watson, who set the team’s single-season record for passing touchdowns (33), passing yards (4,823), and captured the 2020 passing title — the first Texans quarterback to do so since Matt Schaub in 2009.
The Browns will have to see what happens with the three-time Pro Bowler and his lawsuit wherein 22 women allege he committed sexual assault. The NFL is also conducting its own investigation into the matter, which could warrant its own separate punishment regardless of what the courts decide or if a settlement is reached. A Harris County grand jury declined to indict Watson as it related to 10 criminal complaints with the Houston Police Department.
Even before the trade, Houston had commenced the new era under center in the 2021 offseason with the signing of former Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor in free agency and the drafting of third-rounder Davis Mills. Taylor went 2-4 while battling injuries, and Mills went 2-9 with an 0-6 stretch from Weeks 3-8. The Texans finished the season 4-13 — the same win total from Watson’s final year as starting quarterback in 2020.
Deshaun Watson gets a fully guaranteed 5 year $230M contract. That is $80M more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing ($150M). This deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. https://t.co/nQls9WRpD1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
