Spring has sprung and the Houston Texans still have quarterback Deshaun Watson under contract.

Although Watson reportedly told new coach David Culley that he did not want to play another down for Houston’s NFL team, the club has kept their former 2017 first-round pick. Is it because they truly are holding to general manager Nick Caserio’s “zero interest” in trading him?

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans were ready to push the button that would jettison their three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for a draft haul that would quicken the rebuilding process.

After Watson met with coach David Culley on a Zoom conference call earlier this month and reiterated his determination to leave the Texans, they planned to trade him by the draft rather than endure a long holdout that would delay the rebuild.

The Texans were hoping to acquire a franchise quarterback for Watson to kick off the new era with Culley and general manager Nick Caserio, but Watson’s legal situation make it less likely they’ll be able to trade him by April 29, the first day of the draft.

If the Texans aren’t able to trade Watson by Round 1 of the draft, then they will have to wait until afterwards, and the haul of picks and resources won’t be there, ensuring that the Texans at least have a grim outlook for 2021.

Watson has had 16 lawsuits filed against him by 16 different women in Harris County district court alleging sexual assault. The NFL has also contacted Tony Buzbee, who represents all of the women with more complaints to follow, and has stated they have opened an investigation of their own into the claims as they pertain to violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

If the NFL’s investigation is not over by the draft, teams would prefer to wait until thereafter to start making deals with Houston again.