The Houston Texans are in no rush to trade quarterback Deshaun Watson.
General manager Nick Caserio joined “The Jim Rome Show” to talk about the current status with the franchise and the three-time Pro Bowler, who requested a trade in late January 2021.
“I think we’ve had dialogue and discussions going back to last year in the spring and even in training camp and obviously we got through the season, ended where we were,” Caserio said. “I think [coach] Lovie Smith made some comments about that. I think at some point the team and all parties involved are hopeful for a resolution. We’re probably not to that point yet. So, we’re going to take our time.”
Caserio stressed that his obligation is to work towards solutions that provide the most favorable outcome for the Texans.
Said Caserio: “Ultimately my responsibility is to do what is best for the football team by ownership, by our coaching, and by our players. And, so, we’ll work through it. We’ll kind of take it day to day. But as Lovie mentioned, at some point, a resolution to the process will be best for everybody involved, whatever that entails.”
The biggest hurdle to trading Watson hasn’t been the former 2017 first-round pick’s no-trade clause as much as it has been his involvement in pending litigation. The 26-year-old has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women have alleged he committed sexual assault. The Houston Police Department has received complaints that crossover with the allegations in the lawsuit. The FBI has also been involved. The NFL is conducting its own investigation into the allegations. Watson is scheduled to be deposed at the offices of Tony Buzbee, the lawyer who represents the 22 women, on Feb. 24, according to a filing from the Harris County 113th Judicial District Court.
