Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans. (Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Against all other sentiment, and logic in a broader sense, the Houston Texans apparently haven’t given up on keeping Deshaun Watson.
Early in the offseason, Deshaun Watson wanted the Houston Texans to trade him. Then news of multiple sexual misconduct allegations came, and squashed said trade market rather quickly. Meanwhile, as one team continues to surface as the No. 1 suitor, the Texans maintain a high asking price with his situation still in limbo.
Watson reported to Texans training camp to avoid being fined, and he reportedly suited up for practice the first time on Monday. After Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reported the team thinks Watson will end up wanting to play for them this year, and they are not returning trade calls, Yahoo!’s Charles Robinson added to the sentiment coming out of Houston.
The Texans haven’t given up on having Deshaun Watson?
A looming possible grand jury in Watson’s legal situation will impact his playing status. The NFL seems to be waiting for some movement on that front, and an indictment on any of the charges he’s facing will surely push him to the commissioner’s exempt list until further notice. Not playing at all this season is a legit possibility.
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is as good an NFL reporter as there is out there, and he’s obviously plugged in on the Texans. He responded to Robinson’s report with a declaration Watson will never play for the team again. However if Watson is going to be eligible to play at all this year, which is in the league’s hands ultimately, it might only be for the Texans. Unless they lower their asking price, and a team is willing to embrace the uncertainty then.
There’s about a .00001 percent chance Watson plays for the Texans again, this year or ever. But they just aren’t ready to totally give up on keeping him or having him this year, which is as understandable as it is complicated and largely out of their hands.