Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is the latest signal caller in the long line of those waiting to nab a long-term extension for their services. As the start of the 2020 season looms, Watson reiterated that he wasn't focused on that end of the game; he was leaving that to his representatives, noting that “timing is everything.”
"My representation and the organization have definitely been talking, but timing is everything. Right now, I’m just focused on football and my team and building this chemistry and building this offense.” – #texans @deshaunwatson on a new contract.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 1, 2020
Watson is set for the final season in which he will constitute a massive discount, set to make just below $1.2 million in base salary. Next year, it skyrockets to over $17.5 million, with 2022 looming as the season in which he can become an unrestricted free agent.
For the first three seasons of his career, Watson has been able to rely on the All-Pro stylings of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. But following a controversial off-season trade that saw Hopkins dealt to the Arizona Cardinals in return for running back David Johnson, the makeup of the team's offense has drastically changed.
Watson's numbers have been steady over the past two seasons, throwing exactly 1,000 passes combined and accounting for 26 passing touchdowns in each year. But ultimately, both seasons have ended the same way — with a postseason defeat.
The contentiousness that surrounds young signal callers getting paid has been one of the defining characteristics of roster building over the past half-decade. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes got his mega payday this off-season, but Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott conversely will play the upcoming year under the franchise tag. Many prognosticators would peg Watson somewhere between those two, but as he made clear, when it comes to getting paid, timing is everything.
Follow Us
Subscribe