Unsurprisingly, the Texans are committing to Deshaun Watson. Houston has picked up the fifth-year option on their franchise quarterback, reports ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).
Watson is set to play the 2020 season on a $1.17MM base salary. Under the fifth-year option, his salary will be boosted to around $17.3MM in 2021.
This was an easy decision for the Texans, as the quarterback has emerged as an MVP contender. The 2017 12th-overall pick has started 31 games for Houston the past two year, connecting on 67.8-percent of his passes while averaging 4,008 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10.5 interceptions. He’s also continued to be productive on the ground, rushing for 12 touchdowns between 2018 and 2019.
Most importantly, he’s led the Texans to a 21-10 record over the past two seasons. This has led to a pair of playoff appearances, where he’s gone 1-2.
We heard last week that the organization had kicked off “very preliminary” extension talks with the star quarterback, and the front office was focused on completing a deal by the start of the regular season. We previously heard that Watson was going to wait under Patrick Mahomes re-signed with the Chiefs before inking his own extension.
Probably wishes he was a 2nd round pick at this point.
Probably exercised it on accident.
Hahahahaha
Texans fans better pray BOB signs him before Mahomes sets the bar.
He is the third best quarterback to play in the nfl since Brady and brees! I see the Texans signing him to long term deal, he is the reason they got to the playoffs as the quarterback of Houston
Ummm sorry he is good but not better than Mahomes.
I agree Houston was trash before he came along!!
There’s no way that Watson tops Mahomes deal.
No way.
Brady
Brees
Mahomes
Wilson
Jackson
Then Watson
Jackson sucks you will this year when he throws more interceptions than touchdowns, because all he is a running back in a quarterback body
That’s ridiculous! You cannot make that comment dagger such a short time.
I’d say this was a no-brainer, but Bill O’Brien is involved. There was a non-zero chance he traded Watson to NE for three 7th rd picks.
Of course this was a no brainer and $17M is chump change for a QB of this caliber. Let’s see what the Texans do when Watson comes back in 2 or 3 years looking for a real payday in the north of $30M range.
Not to split hairs, but the high water mark is already $35M. 2-3 years from now $40M will be the “new” average for top tier QB’s.
IMO, Watson gets his deal, but it won’t be from BOB, not saying he won’t resign with Houston though. Where there is smoke, there is fire.
Your right. I gave a lowball estimate of what Watson might seek next time, assuming he might have some wear and tear on him by that time.