Let your gaze begin.
While star defender Deshaun Watson has officially requested a deal, according to several reports Thursday, the Texans also have a potential appeal to pressure him to stay in Houston.
Watson certainly has a lot of leverage in itself, with a contract trading clause that allows him to have a say in where he could land, but the Texans could also play hard and he hit Watson in the wallet if he chooses to resist until the trade is done.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Texans can fine Watson with $ 95,877 for missing the minicamp, $ 50,000 for each missed training camp day and $ 620,000 for each missed pre-season game. In a nuclear scenario, if Watson retired rather than play for the Texans again, he could raise $ 21.6 million on ESPN.
However, Watson, 25, signed a four-year extension for $ 160 million in September with a $ 73 million guarantee on signing. There is no guarantee that the fines will work for Watson to continue his career with the Texans.
“This is the first thing that will impact this situation with Watson more than anything else – his desire to stay and lose money,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah wrote on Twitter. “I think he is a guy with principles and he would be willing to do that. This is how he gains leverage. The threat of financial loss does not bother him. ”
It’s a messy situation for new general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley to intervene. The Texans allegedly hired Culley as their new coach on Wednesday night, but “it hasn’t changed and won’t change Watson’s thinking,” ESPN reported.