Deshaun Watson hasn’t requested a swap yet

Saturday’s excellent SI.com article that looked at two chaotic weeks for the Texans reported, among other things, that quarterback Deshaun Watson “just wants out.” He most likely does, but he hasn’t officially asked for it to happen.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Watson has yet to specifically request an exchange.

Although he is moving in that direction, Watson realizes that using these words will take the situation beyond the point of no return. This means that, for now, it has not passed the point of no return.

But changing things will not be easy. The same organization that made the mess is now going to have to undo it.

It hasn’t gone well so far. The Texans have invited Watson to help with both the general manager hiring and the head coach hiring. He did and the team ignored his contribution. The Texans initially ignored his recommendation that Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy be interviewed for the head coach position. As reported last night, the Texans completely ignored Watson’s recommendation that former 49ers defensive coordinator (and now Jets head coach) Robert Saleh be interviewed for the job.

To those who point out that quarterbacks aren’t supposed to play that kind of role in team management, two points: (1) Texans asked him to play this role; and (2) since quarterbacks are supposed to be quasi-management, why shouldn’t they play this kind of role in managing a team?

Consider the specific dynamics of Houston. Texas owner Cal McNair and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby have made the decision to hire Nick Caserio to become the next general manager. How are McNair and Easterby more qualified than Watson to make that call?

McNair and Easterby have made three previous CEO decisions, none of which went well. First, they tried (and failed) to hire Caserio. Second, they decided to proceed without a third GM, they decided to make former head coach Bill O’Brien the general manager, a decision that was overturned after just four games in 2020.

As a result of those decisions, the Texans didn’t get enough for Jadeveon Clowney (and paid too much of his 2019 salary), the Texans gave up too much for Laremy Tunsil, and the Texans were snooked by the Cardinals for the wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. .

So what can Texans do at this point to avoid getting an official business request from Watson? The only thing to do is recruit the best possible head coach and hope the new coach can figure out how to get Watson to not ask to be traded.