While Texans QB Deshaun Watson continues to deal with legal issues, a possible settlement could open up trade speculation once again.
There’s an awfully good chance the speculation about trade rumors surrounding the embattled and disgruntled Houston Texans star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, could ramp up again in the very near future.
Watson has been at the center of what’s been a tumultuous offseason for Houston, namely centering on his frustration with the front office that prompted a trade request to a list of teams for which he’d be interested in playing.
Yet all that was before those stories and allegations of sexual misconduct, which seemingly put a complete stop to any team’s potential interest in making a blockbuster move. And while it’s important to acknowledge the legal case is ongoing and no resolution has been reached, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported there could be a settlement reached between Watson and the affected parties in the not-so-distant future.
If so, look for Watson’s trade market to ramp up once again.
Texans could talk with Dolphins, Eagles about Deshaun Watson
Earlier this offseason, the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain reported the Texans were seeking a noteworthy bounty of NFL Draft picks and starting-caliber defenders in a would-be Watson trade. A number of teams were reportedly interested, too, namely the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
The Niners are essentially crossed off the list now after selecting North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance at No. 3 overall in the draft.
But neither the Dolphins nor Eagles selected quarterbacks early in the draft, suggesting they’re either all in on returning QBs, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts, respectively, or they’re willing to make a bid for Watson’s services.
Of the two, the Dolphins still make the most sense. Armed with 10 picks in next year’s draft, and with well over $60 million in cap space for 2022, per Over the Cap, Miami could easily navigate a way to absorb Watson’s $10.54 million in base salary for this season and the $35 million owed in base salary next year.
Assuming the Dolphins are willing to move on from Tagovailoa, of course.
Doing so would net them a franchise quarterback, yes. And while the Texans likely wouldn’t be receiving quite the bidding-war offer they initially intended before Watson’s allegations arose, they’d at least be in a position to recoup something in return while clearing a hefty salary for a player who doesn’t want to be in Houston anymore anyway.
It might be best for the Texans to strike a deal at the soonest opportunity.