Deshaun Watson trade demand: Texans have financial options

Let the downcast gaze begin.

While star quarterback Deshaun Watson has officially requested a trade, according to several reports on Thursday, the Texans also have a potential recourse to put pressure on him to stay in Houston.

Watson certainly has a lot of leverage himself, with a no-trade clause in his contract allowing him to have a say in where he might land, but the Texans could also play hard and hit Watson in the portfolio if he chooses to hold until a trade pays off.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans can fine Watson $ 95,877 for a missing minicamp, $ 50,000 for each day of training camp missed and $ 620,000 for each missed preseason game. In a nuclear scenario, if Watson were to retire rather than play for the Texans again, they could also raise $ 21.6 million, per ESPN.

Still, Watson, 25, signed a four-year extension of $ 160 million in September with $ 73 million guaranteed at signing. There can be no assurance that the fines will allow Watson to continue his career with the Texans.

“Here’s the one thing that will impact this situation with Watson more than anything else – his willingness to sit down and lose money,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah tweeted. “I think he’s a very principled guy and he would be willing to do it. This is how he gains influence. The threat of financial loss doesn’t bother him.

It’s a complicated situation for new general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley. The Texans reportedly hired Culley as their new coach on Wednesday night, but that “hasn’t changed and won’t change Watson’s thinking,” ESPN reported.