Star QB Deshaun Watson requests trade from Houston Texans
3-time Pro Bowler made request before hiring of new head coach David Culley
Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press.
The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the request and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday.
Watson has a no-trade clause in his four-year, $156 million contract, so he could have some control over where he might be dealt.
A source told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that the Texans had hired David Culley as their new coach to replace Bill O'Brien, who was fired after an 0-4 start and replaced by interim head coach Romeo Crennel.
The Texans eventually interviewed Bieniemy, as well as Indianapolis defensive co-ordinator Matt Eberflus, Buffalo assistant head coach/defensive co-ordinator Leslie Frazier, Detroit coach Jim Caldwell, former Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis and Carolina offensive co-ordinator Joe Brady before landing on Culley — the only African American among the seven head coaches hired this off-season.
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, wasn't just disgruntled about the way Houston went about its coaching search. He was also upset that owner Cal McNair did not take his opinion into account when hiring general manager Nick Caserio, according to reports from ESPN and the NFL Network.
The Texans, who had years of woes at quarterback before drafting Watson, don't want to part with the talented 25-year-old who led the NFL in yards passing this season. But so far they have been unable to change his mind about his desire to leave.
