Deshaun Watson, Texans Have 'Open Lines of Communication' Amid Contract Talks

Houston Texans head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien suggested Friday that all is well between quarterback Deshaun Watson and the organization with a contract extension looming.

Speaking to NFL Network's James Palmer, O'Brien said: "Very good open lines of communication. We haven't really gotten into the details of anything right now."

The Texans can ensure that Watson is signed through 2021 if they exercise the fifth-year option in his contract, which is a near certainty. He can then become a free agent in 2022, but the Texans will have ample time to work out a long-term deal or franchise him as a last resort if the two sides can't come to an agreement.

The 24-year-old Watson has developed into one of the NFL's top quarterbacks since getting taken 12th overall in the 2017 NFL draft. After having his rookie season cut short through six starts in 2017, Watson led the Texans to the playoffs in both 2018 and 2019.

Watson has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons and is coming off a 2019 campaign in which he completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while also rushing for 413 yards and seven scores.

While Watson's numbers were actually down from 2018 when he completed 68.3 percent of his attempts for 4,165 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine picks to go along with 551 yards and five scores on the ground, he was still more successful in 2019 as a whole.

Watson won his first career playoff game, leading the Texans back from 16 points down against the Buffalo Bills to win in overtime. He also had the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on the ropes in the AFC Divisional Round with a 24-0 lead, but KC stormed back to win 51-31.

Although Watson still has some growing to do as an NFL quarterback, he has proved early in his career that he is a franchise guy deserving of a long-term contract extension.

In terms of dual-threat quarterbacks, there are few better than Watson, and he is a hugely valuable player since his skill set allows him to make up for some of the deficiencies around him.

Next season will be a big test since O'Brien traded away his top target in DeAndre Hopkins. The controversial trade landed the Texans a second-round pick and running back David Johnson, who has not been productive since 2016.

One constant that will be in place for Watson next season is left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who signed a three-year, $66 million extension this week.

If Tunsil continues to protect his blindside and Watson develops chemistry with Johnson, Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, Will Fuller and Kenny Stills, he should play well enough in 2020 to secure a new contract provided he doesn't come to terms on an extension before then.