HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610) -- Deshaun Watson is focused on being a Houston Texan.
He's under contract for the next two seasons and will likely play for the Texans for at least two more additional seasons, whether it be through a massive contract extension or the franchise tag.
A massive extension is the most likely scenario. The question: How many years?
There are obvious comparisons to Watson's ongoing contract negotiations to that of Patrick Mahomes' 10-year extension worth up to $503 million with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Watson texted Mahomes the day his deal was announced last month. Mahomes texted him right back. The two quarterbacks have been in touch since high school.
The Texans' quarterback is entering his fourth season. His fifth-year option was already picked up by the team, so a long-term extension is next.
Watson said Saturday during a conference call that his representation and the Texans have been talking, but right now he's focused on football.
“I’m here,” Watson said. “I love this organization. I love the McNair family. I love the coaching staff. I love the coaches. I love the players. I love the city. I love the fan base. So right now my main focus is continue to be a Houston Texan and making sure that I'm bringing everything I can and doing everything I can to bring this city and this organization its first championship.
"Right now, I’m a Houston Texan. The future is going to tell itself, but I'm locked in on being a Texan."
Watson is working on building chemistry with his new cast of wide receivers.
DeAndre Hopkins is gone. It was a trade earlier this year Watson learned about following a workout.
Watson said "it was out of the blue" and he admitted to how different it is in the locker room without Hopkins, whose locker was right across from his own.
The constant changes with Houston -- this year, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will call plays instead of head coach Bill O'Brien -- are clear attempts to build a winner.
But the Texans are still trying to get over the hump. They have never appeared in an AFC Championship game and blew a 24-0 lead to Mahomes' Chiefs in last season's divisional round.
In a recent interview with former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who Watson idolized as a child growing up near Atlanta, Watson noted how his situation is different from Mahomes' in terms of trusting that he plays for the organization he wants to be with long term.
O'Brien, the head coach and general manager, said Friday he wants Watson to be the Texans' quarterback for a long time but won't negotiate contracts through the media.
"We love Deshaun," O'Brien said. "He’s here, he’s excited and we’re excited about the season.”
For now, Watson is still perfecting his craft. To take his game to the next level, Watson is focusing on protecting the ball, minimizing mistakes and finishing games.
"I know I was pretty decent at it last year, but I want to be perfect," Watson said. "I want to be able to win those close games. I want to be able to close up those games against New Orleans and against a couple of other teams that we came up short against in the fourth quarter, especially against those great quarterbacks. I want to be able focus on that, build a craft and be able to get us in the perfect play each and every time."
