Trading Deshaun Watson is not part of the plan for the Houston Texans.
David Culley was introduced as head coach on Friday and echoed the sentiment of general manager Nick Caserio in a joint press session that the Texans are not trading their 25-year-old quarterback.
“The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he is going to be a Houston Texan,” Culley said of Watson.
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That position runs counter to reports from multiple outlets that Watson requested a trade at the end of the regular season. In recent days, ESPN reported Watson is “dug in” on his trade demand.
Caserio opened the press conference by underscoring the Texans aren’t interested in trading Watson.
“Before we take a few questions: Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson. We have zero interest in trading the player,” Caserio said.
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Culley was named head coach this week and begins the task of setting a new direction for the franchise along with Caserio.
Watson reportedly has been incensed with management since star wideout DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals last offseason. He also was pulling for Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to be hired as head coach, according to multiple reports.
Watson has a no-trade clause in the four-year, $156 million contract extension he signed last summer.
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–Field Level Media