Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has reportedly requested a trade, but don’t expect him to end up with the Patriots

Just one day after finally finding their next head coach — the seventh and final team to do so this offseason — the Houston Texans have another crisis on their hands: according to multiple media reports, starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade to leave the organization.

The Texans and Watson have been at odds for quite some time now, despite him signing a massive four-year, $177.5 million contract extension just last September. The starting point was reportedly the hire of long-time New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio as the team’s new general manager earlier this month: Caserio was apparently brought in without the star quarterback’s consent, much to his displeasure.

Hiring David Culley as head coach did obviously do little to solve the issues, with Watson’s trade request becoming public — he already first asked to be moved some time ago — the latest chapter in this ongoing saga. The 25-year-old star quarterback does have a no-trade clause in his deal, but could obviously waive that right if a desirable destination emerges among the bidders.

As for the New England Patriots, they could be among them: they have a hole at the quarterback position ever since Tom Brady left last spring, with 2020’s group of Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer being unable to fill it. One of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, Watson would obviously be a major upgrade and legitimate franchise QB.

That said, according to a recent report by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Patriots acquiring Watson via trade is considered “a highly unlikely scenario” — even with Caserio now in charge and the Pro Bowler actively wanting out. While anything is possible during the NFL offseason, a union between New England and Watson should therefore still not be expected to happen.