Deshaun Watson Rumors: Insiders Say QB Willing to Hold out No Matter the Cost

Deshaun Watson reportedly doesn't want to remain with the Houston Texans and will go to great lengths to force a trade.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the quarterback's formal demand for a deal means he is "willing to not show up, no matter what it may cost."

This comes after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Watson made an official trade request with Houston "weeks ago," and his opinion has not changed with the hiring of head coach David Culley.

The Texans don't want to trade Watson and would prefer to "repair the relationship," according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Though Watson does have a no-trade clause, he remains under contract through 2025 and won't be able to leave without the Texans making a deal. The quarterback has a $15.9 million cap hit in 2021, which will grow to $40.4 million in 2022.

Watson would forfeit his salary if he chooses not to play and the Texans refuse to make a trade, although there is precedent for this type of move.

Running back Le'Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season during a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while quarterback Carson Palmer held out in 2011 until the Cincinnati Bengals traded him midseason.

While the Texans might not want to deal away a 25-year-old quarterback with three Pro Bowls on his resume, it also won't help if he refuses to play. The team went 4-12 in 2020 and doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2021 draft, meaning any assets it can get for Watson would be beneficial in helping the rebuild.