The Texans will start Tyrod Taylor under center for Sunday’s season opener against the Jaguars. With that in mind, GM Nick Caserio tells Sports Radio 610 that he “wouldn’t expect” embattled star Deshaun Watson to take the field in Week 1 (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 
There’s no secret that the Texans would like to move on from Watson altogether, For his part, the quarterback also wants out. However, Caserio is unwilling to take pennies on the dollar for the talented quarterback. Before the allegations, the Texans received offers including three first-round picks. Now, there are still offers with picks on the table, but clubs want those picks to be conditional based on Watson’s availability to play. For now, the Texans aren’t willing to accept such contingencies.
Watson would reportedly prefer a trade to the Dolphins but would not veto a deal that sends him to the Panthers. For now, he’s getting neither, and it’s not clear if the Dolphins have much interest in him. Owner Stephen Ross may want Watson in Miami, but other reports say that he is unwilling to impose his will on the front office. Meanwhile, head coach Brian Flores has backed Tua Tagovailoa as his starter.
That all leaves Watson on the bench behind both Taylor and rookie Davis Mills. Unless something changes, the Texans will pay Watson $10.54MM to ride the pine this year.
If clubs are indeed offering picks wit contingencies in regards to Watson’s playing time and Houston won’t cave on that (and it seems a reasonable ask by an acquiring club), I have to wonder if the Houston team has gotten some indication as to what will happen and when.
Agreed. Doesn’t make any sense for them to not accept picks with conditions. If he goes to jail etc it’s not like they’d be able to trade him.
Even if he’s suspended the 6 games or whatever you’d think some teams would meet a high price. Situation seems to become more odd with every new update.
They are going to have to massage their way through this one
They have to be in close contact with the league. I bet if the Texans were brazen and named Watson their starter, the NFL would swoop in and put him on the exempt list. This whole thing being sort of in limbo allows the league to punt on the situation. I’m not sure what the benefit is to the Texans, however.
Take a second rounder and be gone with him not a Texas guy
I doubt Houston ever got an offer of three number 1 picks given the legal situation surrounding Watson. They might have ASKED for three number 1 picks, but …
Probably before the legal stuff came out
I mean…..the article literally explains it:
“Before the allegations, the Texans received offers including three first-round picks.”
Reading comprehension is a lost art.
I promise you that reading comprehension is
I have about as much chance of acquiring three first-round picks as the Texans as anyone else does at this point. And I’m far from convinced that anyone offered them before the allegations either. Until there is some sort of resolution to the allegations, no team is going to go near Watson, for conditional picks or anything else.
I’d agree. There is a strong chance Watson doesn’t see the field this year, so he offers no immediate help. There’s also the PR nightmare that would come with bringing him in. Plus, the dude isn’t cheap. I don’t know why anyone would give up a single 1st rd selection for him, let alone multiple ones.
Houston would do itself a huge favor by shipping him out for practically anything they could get, and I think a majority of their fanbase probably wouldn’t revolt. The dynamic has shifted from simply having a disgruntled star to having a disgraced star. Move on, Houston. Move on.
This is gonna be one of those divorces where only the lawyers win.
Been there, done that…
It’s gonna be an ugly year for the Texans. Rookie HC & GM, best player benched (understandably) and a whole bunch of casts off’s.
Benched? He wanted off their roster and got it, it’s not e teams fault his behavior since then came to light and now nobody wants him.
They were 4-12 last year. 1-16 or 2-15 doesn’t seem much uglier than that.
They would be lucky to get two future 1st round picks for the 2035 and 2037 draft years at this point.
Rumor has it those could be good QB years…
I like that Watson is still picky about where he goes.
Beggars noramally can’t be choosers, but (alleged) rapists are more insistent, it seems.