The Houston Texans picked up the fifth year option for quarterback Deshaun Watson, keeping their 2017 first-round pick under contract for the next two seasons.
With the two-time Pro Bowler in-house until after the 2021 season, the Texans have plenty of time to work out a contract extension, though the AFC South club may want to hurry up. According to Over The Cap, Watson will cost Houston $4.4 million against the salary cap in 2020 and $17.5 million in 2021.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans and Watson’s representatives, led by David Mulugheta, have not initiated discussions.
For Watson, there is little incentive to reach a deal with the Texans before the Dallas Cowboys reach a contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott. Both Watson and Prescott are of comparable accomplishments with each leading their teams to two division titles and a wild-card playoff win. Dallas currently has Prescott under a franchise tag. The negotiation of Prescott’s contract extension will be the starting point for Watson and the Texans.
The other end of the spectrum is Patrick Mahomes, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Kansas City Chiefs. If the 2019 NFL MVP signs a contract extension before either Watson or Prescott, it will set the ceiling. Would the Texans be willing to pay Watson in the ballpark of Mahomes when he has not yet led Houston that far into the playoffs?
Unlike the Cowboys, the Texans don’t have to worry about Watson holding out if and when the NFL allows Houston to hold offseason workouts. The two-time Pro Bowler will be available for the next two seasons as the Texans seek to advance to their first conference title game and beyond in club history.
