Deshaun Watson

The entire "they didn't ask me so I'm mad" story doesn't strike me as something that fits Deshaun's personality.

I have a different idea on his reasoning.

I think he wants out because he knows the franchise is stuck at the bottom for at least the better part of his prime.

I do think he would have like to get some say-so after he was told he would get it.

Mostly though, I think either he realized, or somebody close to him realized, that this is the perfect story to run with to make the organization look like they did something personal to him that makes him want out.

I think JJ Watt's comment on "wasting one of your years" is very telling as to how those two players are thinking about their time in Houston.

Both guys want to win in the postseason and know they have a small window in the careers to accomplish that goal.

Watt was already rumored to want out during the middle of the season.

I think this "they did me wrong" approach is an easy way for Deshaun to make it look like he has lost trust and now he has a reason to demand to be traded.

Anybody in their right mind would want out of there, but he needed a reason to make it public.

McNair gave it to him.

Tmatthk®

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Re: Deshaun Watson

Jan 8, 2021, 3:43 PM

I'm going to disagree with you about this not fitting Watson's personality. Deshaun is growing into being not only a leader for the Texans, but the entire NFL. As a player he is finding his voice and using it to initiate change. When McNair came out and said Watson would be included, it made the statement that the Texans were going to be a players first organization. They have not had that reputation in the past, nothing is more evident of this than Hopkins asking for a raise knowing this would lead to a trade. So McNair including Watson was intended to show a culture shift in the program.

Obviously that shift is not occurring and the faults might not all be on Bill O'Brien. If Watson was to remain silent, publicly he would be held somewhat liable for the hire, but more importantly amongst NFL player and GM circles it would make a statement that owners can say whatever they want publicly and face no repercussions from players when their actions take a different course. By doing this he is proving the value of his voice not only within Texans organization but throughout the NFL.

Also there has been a little too much noise around the Texans failing Watson for a trade to be the actual play. Between the Hopkins trade, Watt's leaked apology, this now this McNair fiasco, it is seems like he is trying to rile up fan support and aggravation to force cultural change. I don't envy the road ahead of him, but he's a great player and I have the upmost faith in him.