NFL

Texans have 'zero interest' in trading Deshaun Watson

By Sports Desk January 29, 2021

The Houston Texans have "zero interest" in trading Deshaun Watson following the quarterback's reported request to be dealt to a new team.

Watson is said to want to leave the team that drafted 12th overall in 2017, having grown extremely dissatisfied with the direction the Texans have been heading in over the past year.

He is reported to have been frustrated at his lack of input during the team's search for a new head coach, which concluded on Friday when they confirmed the hiring of David Culley.

Speaking at Culley's introductory media conference, general manager Nick Caserio got out in front of anticipated questions about Watson by reaffirming their commitment to him.

Caserio said: "Organisationally just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson.

"He's had a great impact on this organisation, great impact on a lot of people, great impact on this team, we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him here this spring once we get started.

"We have zero interest in trading the player, we have a great plan, a great vision for him and for this team, for his role in this team and we look forward to the opportunity to spend more time with him this spring."

Culley added of Watson: "I want him to be a Houston Texan. The reason I'm in this position today is because I knew he's going to be a Houston Texan, the outside stuff that was being said was irrelevant to me."

The Texans are reported to have fielded calls from teams across the league about a trade for Watson. 

Among the teams to have enquired about Watson are the New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.

Watson led the NFL in passing yardage with 4,823 in the 2020 season and threw 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Since making his debut in 2017, Watson is third in the league in yards per attempt with an average of 8.32, trailing only Patrick Mahomes (8.39) and Jimmy Garoppolo (8.33).

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