Houston mayor hopes Deshaun Watson stays with Texans

Jan 3, 2021; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston mayor hopes Deshaun Watson decides to stay with Texans

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/25/21

Despite how unlikely it is, Houston Texans fans hope Deshaun Watson decides to stay with the franchise. Even Houston mayor Sylvester Turner is praying for the star quarterback to have a change of heart.

On Sunday, Turner tweeted that he hopes the two sides can put aside their differences and move forward.

Houston loves @deshaunwatson and the @HoustonTexans. Houston is a great City that is hungry to back our players and team. As Mayor of a City that is second to none I pray we move forward together. st
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) January 24, 2021

I value @deshaunwatson as a player but I respect him even more as a person. I know he loves this City because I have seen how much he has given of himself and his treasure to people in this City. I am humbled to be his Mayor. I hope that won’t change anytime soon. st
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) January 25, 2021

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, Watson is still expected to request a trade from the franchise regardless of who it hires as its next head coach.

As @mortreport reported on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown, the Texans' head coaching hire is not expected to change Deshaun Watson's thinking. He still is expected to want out of Houston, no matter who the head coach is, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2021

Watson is reportedly upset that he has been left out of the team's general manager and head-coaching search. Texans owner Cal McNair previously told him he would be involved.

The Texans are the only team in the NFL with a head-coaching vacancy. All other positions have been filled. Schefter reported Sunday morning that Houston is expected to request second interviews with Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Watson reportedly wants Bieniemy to be the team's next head coach, but the franchise ignored his opinion until his unhappiness became public.

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, Watson prefers a trade to the New York Jets, where he'd team up with Robert Saleh. His second choice is the Miami Dolphins.

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