Will the Houston Texans still trade quarterback Deshaun Watson? It's complicated

HOUSTON — On Jan. 28, 2021, it was made public knowledge that Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson had requested a trade.

A lot has changed with the situation in the past year.

On March 16, 2021, the first of 23 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior by Watson was filed. Twenty-two of the lawsuits are ongoing as Watson and his legal team have denied wrongdoing.

Ten women — eight of whom filed civil lawsuits — have filed complaints with the Houston Police Department. Depositions have begun, but Watson cannot be deposed before Feb. 22. Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for the plaintiffs, told FOX 26 this week that he plans to take Watson's deposition starting Feb. 24.

And from a team perspective, after firing David Culley last week, the Texans are searching for their second coach since the quarterback voiced his displeasure.

In his end of season news conference, Texans general manager Nick Caserio said he doesn't «think there's any more clarity today [on Watson's legal situation] than there was here previously.»

«But we're going to work through it,» Caserio said. «Ultimately, we're going to do what we feel is best for the organization.»

Where does Watson's trade request stand and is there a possibility he plays for the Texans again? Now that the offseason is here for Houston, let's take a look.

It started a little more than a year ago, when Watson made it known he was unhappy with the Texans' process in hiring Caserio. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watson offered input, but the organization did not consider the GM candidates he had endorsed.

At the end of the 2020 season, Watson said he thought the organization needed «a whole culture shift.» Caserio spent 20 seasons in New England. Former coach