“ The goal is to get it back, period ”

TAMPA, Fla – The Houston Texans are sending the same message to interested teams about Deshaun Watson that they delivered publicly:

They have no interest in trading their disgruntled star quarterback.

Other teams remain skeptical, the Texans may stay the course and ultimately change their minds to Watson, who requested a trade last month and still has not communicated with new general manager Nick Caserio or coach David Culley , even after Culley contacted her for hire.

But some executives with other teams haven’t even had their calls and texts about Watson returned by the Texans. Other executives who have spoken with Houston say Caserio has been very firm that Watson is unavailable, leading them to believe the Texans are trying to mend the relationship first.

As one person familiar with Texan thinking put it, “The point is to get it back, period.”

The Texans have overhauled the organization since head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was fired on October 5 after a 0-4 start last season – a process that has accelerated since hiring the famous Caserio a month ago. They conducted a diverse search for their new head coach before the surprise hiring of Culley, 65, the only black man to secure a head coaching position in this cycle, and worked to put proven assistants around. him, including a defensive coordinator. Lovie Smith and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton. Sources say everything has been done in an effort to build around Watson and what it will take for him and the team to be successful.

But Watson, 25, remains upset by what he saw as a lack of contribution to research from GM, among others, and has made his feelings known without saying much publicly himself.

Watson signed a four-year, $ 156 million contract extension in September that puts him under contract until 2025 and includes a no-trade clause, allowing him to decide where he would be ready to be traded. Its greatest leverage is not to come forward and allow the public outcry over its misfortune to hang like a cloud over the new Texan regime.

But the Texans can wait for it if they wish. Watson would face daily fines if he does not show up to mini-camp or training camp. The Texans could also cancel Watson’s remaining $ 82.54 million in guarantees and, if he steps down instead of playing for them again, could sue $ 21.6 million on his 27 million signing bonus. dollars.

There are a few potential pressure points ahead, including the start of free agency on March 17 and the NFL draft from April 29 to May 1, when other teams will need answers on Watson before. to fill their QB holes otherwise. Considering the price the Lions got for Matthew Stafford, 33, leaders of other teams believe the Texans could get at least three first-round picks for Watson, and the price could be even higher than that.

At the moment, there are no trade negotiations. Watson is not moving and neither are the Texans.