It's no secret Deshaun Watson wants to leave the Houston Texans as soon as possible, but the Texans aren't budging. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league and gives the Texans their best chance at success. Trading him away may give them a haul to build on, but with limited draft picks, they'd essentially be receiving back what they already traded away during the Laremy Tunsil trade.
With that in mind, NFL players from around the league have expressed their thoughts on the Watson vs Houston debacle. The latest take coming from the Los Angeles Rams star cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, who talked about it during a recent appearance on the Huddle and Flow podcast (h/t Steve Wyche of the NFL Network).
"I highly doubt [DeShaun Watson] will suit up in a Texans' uniform again. He's extremely serious." Rams CB @jalenramsey on the Huddle and Flow podcast w/@JimTrotter_NFL @tewarren and me.
Apple: https://t.co/pl5Yoad24k
Spotify: https://t.co/58dmGpct2b— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 4, 2021
Formerly playing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ramsey is familiar with Deshaun Watson. They faced each other twice a year while Ramsey was still in Jacksonville, and they apparently share an agent in David Mulugheta.
Queue the “Houston, we have a problem,” jokes all you want, as the Texans seem adamant about keeping their disgruntled superstar quarterback. The front office might believe Watson is bluffing, as Houston has the right to fine Watson a considerable amount of money if he decides to hold out.
Here's Houston's leverage, if used:
*Can fine Deshaun Watson $95,877 for missing minicamp.
*Can fine him $50,000 per day for each day of training camp missed, plus one week salary — $620,000 — for each preseason game missed.
*If he retires, Texans can collect $21.6 million.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2021
It's been estimated that Watson could lose up to $21 million for sitting out the season. Sure, Watson could probably afford it, but that is so much money to lose for not simply playing a game.
On the other hand, Watson has the leverage in choosing where he'd be traded to if Houston gives in. His no-trade clause gives him the freedom to decline a trade if the Texans choose to send him to a franchise he has no interest in, putting the Texans in a position of potentially settling for a lesser deal.
Get your second bag of popcorn, as this Watson vs Houston ordeal is just getting started.
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