How the Houston Texans went from contender to reset after buying and selling Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns

HOUSTON — In August 2019, the Houston Texans had 4 celebrity gamers on their roster: Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney.

Now, it has been greater than two years since Clowney was traded, and all 4 are gone. Clowney was the primary to be traded, previous to the beginning of the 2019 season, and Watson was the final, going to the Cleveland Browns on Friday. Watson requested a commerce this offseason earlier than he was accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct in 23 civil lawsuits. One lawsuit was dropped and 22 are active.

Ten ladies filed legal costs towards Watson, together with eight of the litigants within the civil circumstances. A grand jury in Texas on March 11 declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, signaling the tip of legal proceedings associated to him in Harris County, the place Houston is positioned.

The Texans, who gained the AFC South 4 occasions in 5 seasons from 2015 to ’19, have gained a complete of eight video games over the previous two seasons. Watson was on the roster however inactive in 2021, with Tyrod Taylor after which Davis Mills beginning at quarterback.

Houston traded as much as No. 12 to draft Watson in 2017, and he was anticipated to be the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. Watson has performed 4 seasons (54 video games), and his 104 passing touchdowns and 14,539 passing yards rank second in Texans franchise historical past behind Matt Schaub (124 touchdowns and 23,221 passing yards in 90 video games).

How did we get right here after the 10-6 Texans gained the AFC South in 2019, and the place did all of it go fallacious?

Jan. 28, 2020: Texans identify coach Invoice O’Brien as GM

After going by the 2019 season with no normal supervisor, Texans CEO and chairman Cal McNair gave his coach, Invoice O’Brien, the extra title. The 12 months earlier than, the Texans had fired GM Brian Gaine after 18 months. They failed of their try to rent New England Patriots director of participant personnel Nick Caserio in 2019 after the Patriots filed tampering costs with the NFL.

“Preparations are underway for the 2020 season, and I believed it was vital to replace titles, roles and obligations for Invoice O’Brien and [executive vice president of football operations] Jack Easterby in order that they extra precisely replicate the best way now we have been working for the previous eight months,” McNair stated in an announcement.

Simply two years earlier, ESPN’s Seth Wickersham wrote, O’Brien had heard some in New England believed he might succeed Invoice Belichick. On the time, O’Brien was in an influence wrestle with former Texans normal supervisor Rick Smith over personnel selections.

“Ultimately, although, the [Texans] selected O’Brien over Smith, giving the coach extra management over soccer operations,” Wickersham wrote. “O’Brien later joked to a confidant that it was a considerably empty victory. ‘I used to be making an attempt to get fired,’ he stated.”

March 16, 2020: Texans commerce WR DeAndre Hopkins

O’Brien’s first main transfer as normal supervisor despatched shockwaves by the NFL. On the primary day of free company, the Texans traded three-time All-Professional broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for working again David Johnson and a second-round decide. The Cardinals additionally obtained a fourth-round decide in 2020, and the Texans acquired a fourth-round decide in 2021.

Houston used that second-round decide, No. 40 total, to draft defensive sort out Ross Blacklock, who performed 23% of the Texans’ defensive snaps his rookie season and was not an affect addition to Houston’s protection.

Not lengthy after the commerce, O’Brien stated he made the transfer as a result of Hopkins “needed a increase” with three years left on his contract.

“And we weren’t going to have the ability to go in that path,” O’Brien stated.

Whereas Michael Irvin went on ESPN’s Get As much as say Hopkins informed him he was traded due to “unhealthy blood” between him and O’Brien, the broad receiver later tweeted the state of affairs was “being blown approach out of proportion.”

Watson came upon in regards to the commerce after a exercise when his quarterbacks coach, Quincy Avery, noticed the information on Twitter.

“Yo, do you know Hop simply acquired traded?” Avery requested Watson. Avery posted to Twitter — after which rapidly deleted — a video of Watson’s response.

“It was simply, in fact, out of the blue,” Watson stated in August. “I wasn’t anticipating it. However like I stated, that is simply the best way the enterprise goes. That is one thing that I’ve just about no management of. The group needed to do what they needed to do, and D-Hop — he needed to do what he needed to do.”

Sept. 5, 2020: Watson indicators contract extension

Simply earlier than the season, Watson and the Texans agreed to a four-year, $156 million contract extension.

That night, throughout a videoconference with reporters, the quarterback was emotional as he mentioned how comfortable he was to decide to the franchise and metropolis.

“It is simply an incredible second for me to have the ability to prolong my profession in a location, in a spot, in a house, I’d say, that my household loves, that I really like,” Watson stated. “I need to proceed to dive into the neighborhood most of all and simply proceed to construct my legacy, simply construct our legacy as an entire and do one thing that we have by no means performed earlier than.”

The extension made Watson the second-highest-paid participant within the NFL on the time behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Oct. 5, 2020: Texans hearth O’Brien

After an 0-Four begin to the season, McNair fired O’Brien and named Romeo Crennel the interim head coach. Easterby, who had been working carefully with O’Brien, was named interim normal supervisor.

November 2020: Watson and McNair talk about way forward for group over dinner

In late November, McNair told ESPN he had dinner with Watson. McNair stated he needed to listen to Watson’s opinions on who needs to be the following head coach, the place Watson went on to share his viewpoint.

McNair informed ESPN he welcomed Watson’s enter, revered his opinion and needed the star quarterback to be comfortable.

“They only put numerous belief in me and what issues [McNair] needs and what I would like, and simply as an entire, as a corporation the place we need to go ahead from right here,” Watson stated in December 2020 when requested in regards to the assembly with McNair. “We have to make selections and go from there. However, yeah, that was just about it. Plenty of respect between me and Mr. McNair.”

Jan. 4, 2021: Watson asks for ‘tradition shift’

In his end-of-season information convention after going 4-12, Watson was requested what management qualities he was in search of within the group’s subsequent coach. Watson stated the group wants “an entire tradition shift.”

“We simply want new vitality,” Watson stated. “We’d like self-discipline, we’d like construction, we’d like a pacesetter so we will observe that chief as gamers. That is what we’d like. We have to have the love of not simply the sport of soccer, as a result of that is what we do, however the love for individuals and the individuals on this group. We have all acquired to be on the identical web page.”

Watson stated he spoke to McNair the day earlier than to debate the open positions, expressing curiosity in offensive coordinator Tim Kelly returning in 2021. Watson credited Kelly, who known as performs for the primary time the prior season, with taking his “recreation to an entire ‘nother degree.”

Jan. 7, 2021: Texans rent GM Nick Caserio

The Texans employed Caserio because the group’s fifth normal supervisor — the fourth since Watson was drafted. Later that day, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Watson was unhappy with the process. Watson supplied McNair enter on a number of normal supervisor candidates, however in line with league sources, the Texans didn’t significantly think about any of them.

In accordance with Schefter, Watson needed the chance to satisfy with the finalists for normal supervisor “so he might supply ideas from a participant standpoint.” As a substitute, Watson found out about the hire on social media, the identical approach he came upon Hopkins had been traded.

After the Texans traded Hopkins, Schefter reported, Watson’s anger degree was “a two. … This time, it is a 10.”

Jan. 8, 2021: McNair says he hasn’t spoken to Watson

In Caserio’s introductory information convention, McNair stated he hadn’t heard from Watson and hoped to talk with the quarterback after Watson returned from trip in Mexico.

When requested about Watson and stories the QB may need to be traded, Caserio stated, “He is our quarterback.”

Jan. 17, 2021: Texans talk about life with out Watson internally

A supply informed ESPN the Texans had internal conversations about possible trade partners and what their quarterback place would appear like with out Watson. Schefter reported a number of individuals in and across the group believed Watson “has performed his final snap with the group.”

Jan. 28, 2021: Sources say Watson requested commerce

Schefter reported Watson requested a trade from the Texans “weeks in the past.”

This report got here the morning after Houston employed Ravens assistant head coach David Culley to be their head coach. Schefter reported the rent “has not and won’t alter Watson’s considering” and “the quarterback hasn’t spoken to” Caserio or Easterby.

Jan. 29, 2021: Culley says he took teaching job figuring out Watson was QB

In his introductory news conference, then-coach David Culley was requested whether or not he was conscious Watson had requested a commerce throughout his interview course of and, if that’s the case, whether or not that performed a task in his resolution to take the place.

“He is the quarterback of the Houston Texans, and that is all that I used to be involved about,” Culley stated. “That is all I knew and no matter was being stated about what he needed to do or did not need to do. All I do know is that this: … He’s a Houston Texan. And I needed to be a Houston Texan. And the rationale I am on this place at present is as a result of I knew he’ll be a Houston Texan. The skin stuff that was being stated was irrelevant to me.”

Feb. 10, 2021: Staff president Jamey Rootes resigns

Rootes, who had been with the group for greater than 20 years, resigned as a result of he didn’t just like the path the Texans have been going, sources informed ESPN. Rootes additionally felt his enter on the GM rent was not valued or counted, sources stated.

Rootes’ resignation was simply the newest change within the entrance workplace for the Texans. The week earlier than, the Texans fired director of soccer administration Kevin Krajcovic, gear supervisor Mike Parson and vice chairman of soccer operations Doug West.

Feb. 12, 2021: Texans launch DE J.J. Watt

After 10 seasons in Houston, pass-rusher J.J. Watt requested the McNair household to launch him with one 12 months remaining on his contract. Watt, the face of the franchise, was the perfect participant within the group’s 19-season historical past.

Through the season, Watt stated his focus was on successful a Tremendous Bowl and that he was not interested by going by a “rebuild.” It was clear this Texans group wouldn’t be a Tremendous Bowl contender in 2021.

Watt signed with the Cardinals and injured his shoulder in a Week 7 recreation towards the Texans. Within the week main as much as the Texans recreation, Watt acknowledged one of many causes he did not need to keep in Houston was as a result of he noticed what the near future might look like.

Feb. 19, 2021: Watson spoke with Culley

Watson met with Culley via videoconference, talking with the Houston coach for the primary time, sources informed ESPN’s Dan Graziano. In that assembly, Watson informed Culley he needed to be traded and had no intention of taking part in one other snap for the Texans.

March 11, 2021: Culley reiterates stance on Watson

Culley’s pre-free-agency information convention was dominated by questions on Watson, and the coach doubled down on Houston’s dedication to its quarterback.

“He is a Houston Texan,” Culley stated. “Once more, I do know that I really feel just like the dedication we have made to him, I really feel like that very same dedication can be there with us additionally transferring ahead.”

March 16, 2021: Texans conform to a one-year take care of QB Tyrod Taylor

In Culley’s information convention, he stated the Texans did not have a contingency plan if Watson did not report back to coaching camp.

However lower than every week later, Houston agreed to a take care of journeyman Tyrod Taylor. Houston had a backup quarterback at worst and an skilled veteran accessible to begin if wanted.

March 16, 2021: First lawsuit filed towards Watson

The primary of 23 lawsuits — one was later dropped — was filed towards Watson. A therapeutic massage therapist in Houston stated in her lawsuit Watson touched her together with his penis throughout a therapeutic massage.

In a tweet posted by Watson that night time, he wrote that he rejected “a baseless six-figure settlement demand” and that is “about clearing my identify, and I sit up for doing that.”

On the time of his assertion, Watson stated he had not seen the lawsuit.

The next morning, the Texans launched an announcement saying the social media publish was the primary that they had heard of the incident.

“We take accusations of this nature that contain anybody inside the Houston Texans group significantly,” the group stated within the assertion. “We are going to await additional info earlier than making any extra statements on this incident.”

Over the following month, 22 extra lawsuits have been filed towards Watson, accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. One lawsuit was finally dropped, not less than for now, after a choose dominated that the lawsuits could not be filed below the identify Jane Doe and the plaintiffs have been required to have their names hooked up.

April 30, 2021: Texans draft QB Davis Mills

Houston did not have a first- or second-round draft decide after together with them, together with a 2020 first-round decide, in a commerce for left sort out Laremy Tunsil, so with their first choice, the Texans drafted quarterback Davis Mills within the third spherical.

Mills, who performed three seasons at Stanford, was the primary quarterback taken by the group because it drafted Watson 12th total in 2017.

After Mills was drafted, the quarterback was requested what he knew about Watson’s present state of affairs.

“Not a lot about it, clearly,” Mills stated. “The one factor I can management is how I deal with myself.”

In 13 video games, together with 11 begins, Mills accomplished 66.88% of his passes for two,664 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

July 25, 2021: Watson stories to camp

Watson selected to report back to coaching camp relatively than being fined $50,000 for on daily basis he missed.

July 26, 2021: An replace on the lawsuits

The day after Watson reported to coaching camp, his lawyer, Rusty Hardin, informed ESPN that 10 women had filed complaints with the Houston Police Division in regards to the quarterback. Two of the ladies, Hardin stated, had not filed lawsuits towards Watson.

Aug. 18, 2021: The FBI is concerned

After the ladies’s legal professional, Tony Buzbee, stated in an interview Watson was being investigated by the FBI, Hardin held a information convention. Hardin stated the FBI was investigating the allegations and that Watson had spoken to them. He additionally stated one of many plaintiffs was being investigated for alleged extortion. Buzbee later denied these claims.

Hardin additionally responded to a report {that a} grand jury had begun sending out subpoenas, however he stated he wasn’t conscious whether or not a grand jury was listening to proof. Hardin additionally stated grand juries in Texas are a traditional a part of the investigative course of when prosecutors are coping with felony circumstances.

Oct. 22, 2021: Commerce rumors ramp up

Within the two weeks earlier than the commerce deadline, the commerce rumors started to warmth up once more, this time centered on the Miami Dolphins.

On Oct. 22, Dolphins head coach Brian Flores reiterated his help for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

“I do not actually get into rumors — Tua is our quarterback,” Flores stated when requested a couple of potential commerce for Watson. “We’re proud of the quarterback, our quarterback state of affairs. I will go away it at that, which I’ve stated a number of occasions.”

Nov. 2, 2021: Commerce deadline passes

The Dolphins did their due diligence on Watson and talked to the Texans a couple of commerce, however they didn’t commerce for Watson on the deadline. Later, Hardin informed reporters that Miami proprietor Stephen Ross insisted “all 22 circumstances needed to be settled earlier than he would commerce for [Watson].”

Jan. 13, 2022: Texans hearth Culley

Lower than a 12 months after hiring him, Caserio fired Culley. In Culley’s lone season as Texans head coach, Houston went 4-13. Caserio cited “philosophical variations over the long-term path and imaginative and prescient for our program transferring ahead.”

Feb. 7, 2022: Texans rent Lovie Smith

The Texans changed Culley by selling Smith from defensive coordinator. Smith was Caserio’s second teaching rent in lower than a 12 months.

Talking on the NFL mix, Smith stated he has “no concept” if Watson can be on the group’s roster subsequent season, however that he thinks each events will finally “profit from the state of affairs.” He additionally stated the group hoped for “a immediate decision” to Watson’s state of affairs.

March 2, 2022: Dolphins “shut door” on Watson

Dolphins normal supervisor Chris Grier stated “the door is shut on Deshaun” as Miami continues to construct round Tagovailoa. In January, New York Giants co-owner John Mara additionally dominated the group out as a vacation spot for Watson.

March 11, 2022: Grand jury declines to indict Watson

A Harris County, Texas, grand jury declined to indict Watson after listening to greater than six hours of proof on 9 legal complaints.

Watson spoke to reporters for the primary time since earlier than the primary lawsuit was filed, saying, “At this time is certainly an enormous day.”

“I am simply going to maintain preventing to rebuild my identify and rebuild my look locally,” Watson stated. “And on the authorized aspect deal with what we have to deal with. But in addition able to get on the sphere, and prep for that.”

Earlier within the day, Watson sat for his first two depositions for the lawsuits, however as a result of the legal investigation had not concluded on the time, Watson invoked his Fifth Modification proper towards self-incrimination.

March 18, 2022: Watson is traded to the Browns

On Friday, the Texans traded Watson to the Cleveland Browns for 5 draft picks, together with three first-rounders.

The day earlier than, Schefter reported that the Browns have been notified that they have been out of the working to land the quarterback.

The Browns plan to present Watson a brand new five-year, $230 million contract, sources informed Schefter. He would obtain $184 million over the primary 4 years of his new contract — a $48 million increase over what he was scheduled to make below his present contract. The complete $230 million is assured, sources stated, setting a report for highest assure given to an NFL participant.