On Sunday, the Texans made a couple trades to add two players that make a lot of sense on the field, and the Texans probably are hoping at least one of them can make a difference off the field, as well.
Deshaun Watson clearly is unhappy with the Texans, but maybe adding one of his college teammates can be the first step to smoothing over some of those hurt feelings?
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After it was announced that the Texans swapped linebackers with the Dolphins – sending Benardrick McKinney to Miami for outside linebacker Shaq Lawson, the former first-round pick out of Clemson took to Instagram Stories to mention Watson.
Lawson posted a photo of him and Watson standing on the sidelines at the 2018 national championship game, watching their alma mater beat up on Alabama. The photo shows Lawson, Watson and Chargers receiver Mike Williams, who also played at Clemson. Lawson captioned the photo “Getting the band back together.” Williams has one more year left on his contract with the Chargers.
Lawson and Watson played together at Clemson for two seasons, with Lawson leaving for the NFL one year earlier than his quarterback.
There’s no word from Watson on how he feels about the Texans adding another Clemson player to the fold. Watson hasn’t posted anything on Twitter or Instagram in more than a week.
Multiple media outlets have reported that Watson has asked to be traded and is prepared to sit out training camp and games if the Texans don’t grant him his wish.
Last week, Texans coach David Culley repeatedly said he plans on Watson being his quarterback.
As for Lawson, he appears to be a good fit in new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s 4-3 scheme, because he can work as an outside linebacker and as a defensive end. Lawson recorded four sacks for the Dolphins last season.
The Texans also signed linebacker Christian Kirksey from the Packers on Friday.
In another trade Sunday, the Texans added offensive lineman Marcus Cannon from the Patriots by swapping draft picks in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.
