Regardless of whether the 49ers are in play for Watson, it is clear the scorned quarterback has no intention of playing another snap for the Texans. That could mean sitting out the 2021 season if Houston refuses to grant his trade request.
Watson wants out, and Chris Simms of NBC Sports doesn't blame him, feeling that the Texans are a dysfunctional organization.
"I've been led to believe this, Mike, that there is no way Deshaun Watson will play for the Houston Texans again," Simms told Mike Florio Monday on PFT Live (h/t to Patrick Tulini). "Yeah, I'm saying that. I have been told by somebody I trust that says, 'Deshaun Watson will not play for the Houston Texans ever again, and he's willing to sit out football for the year if he has to.' That's where I've been led to understand this situation and where it's at right now, and like I said, it's someone that I trust very much."
Could sitting out the 2021 season work to Watson's advantage, forcing the Texans to trade him? According to Spotrac, the quarterback has already made over $40 million through four NFL seasons, thanks in large part to the $27 million signing bonus he received from his four-year contract extension in September. Of course, the Texans could make a case for recouping some of that signing bonus should Watson hold out. The point is that the quarterback might be comfortable enough to make good on his threat, assuming Simms' report is accurate.
Would the Texans' willingness to trade Watson be enough to entice 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan to be aggressive in attempting to acquire a game-changing offensive weapon?
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Three 49ers earn All-Pro honors for the 2025 NFL season
Three San Francisco 49ers players earned All-Pro honors for the 2025 NFL season. Running back Christian McCaffrey and fullback Kyle Juszczyk were named first-team All-Pro selections, while left tackle Trent Williams earned second-team All-Pro recognition. The 49ers finished... -
San Francisco 49ers opponents for 2026 season announced
The 2026 opponents for the San Francisco 49ers have been announced. The 49ers finished third in the NFC West and will play a third-place schedule next season. The 49ers will have nine home games and will go on the road eight times. Here are the 2026 opponents: Home Las Vegas... -
Loss of George Kittle latest heartbreaker in 49ers' injury-plagued season
Just how much must San Francisco 49ers fans endure this season? The sight of All-Pro tight end George Kittle making a catch, going down near the sideline, and immediately grabbing his leg was the latest gut punch for the 49ers in what has been a brutal, injury-plagued 2025... -
NFL insider says 49ers QB Brock Purdy's shoulder stinger "not expected to keep him out next week"
The San Francisco 49ers looked bad in their bid for the number-one seed in the NFC Saturday night, falling 13-3 to the Seattle Seahawks. But things almost got much worse when QB Brock Purdy went down late in the game. It looked bad, and there was immediate concern about whether...