Sometimes lost in the fervor over a player asking for a trade is the reality that the team has to go along with that idea.
Thus, it doesn’t appear the Texans are inclined to move disgruntled wide receiver Andre Johnson just because he wants to.
According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans don’t plan to move Johnson for several reasons, all of which are better for them than him.
There’s the simple pragmatism that they’re better with him than without him, especially in a year in which they’re scraping by with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Plus, they want the 33-year-old receiver to finish his career there.
But perhaps most importantly, they don’t want to create a dangerous precedent.
That pride is probably as significant as any other factor, because as good as Johnson is, he’s unlikely to be the difference in them making the playoffs and not making the playoffs.
Now we’ll see whose pride can take the hit between the Texans and Johnson, as we see who blinks first.