Houston Texans: 4 quarterbacks to replace Deshaun Watson on roster if he’s traded

What will the Houston Texans do at QB if they trade Deshaun Watson?

If – and most likely when – the Houston Texans decide to trade quarterback Deshaun Watson from their 53-man active roster the franchise will have to replace him with another quarterback. If that situation happens sooner rather than later who will take the roster spot of Watson?

The Texans could gain a quarterback in the actual trade of Watson, and that would be a solid way to do so, and the easiest way to add another quarterback. There is also a whole new trade that could happen, which means the Texans could trade for a reserve quarterback with another franchise that didn’t trade for Watson.

A third way is look at the free agency list, because there are still some talented quarterbacks who could do well on the Houston roster for the 2021 season, especially if Tyrod Taylor’s hamstring injury lingers.

The current situation of the Texans quarterback room consists of Taylor having the injured hamstring from Week 2, which means rookie Davis Mills is about to make his first start this week on Thursday Night Football against the Carolina Panthers. Mills played in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns when Taylor was injured on his touchdown run.

For at least this week, and this being a very quick turnaround, Jeff Driskel should be called up from the practice squad to fill the role as backup to Mills. It was said by Texans head coach David Culley on Monday that Watson isn’t going to be taking any snaps, and Watson was also on the injury report with the usual “non-injury” description.

So once Watson is traded, who can the Texans look to add as their next quarterback on the roster? Here are four players who could take the roster spot of Watson if a trade were ever to occur for Deshaun Watson by an NFL team.

4. Nick Foles

One thing the Houston Texans could do is if they don’t receive another quarterback in a trade for Deshaun Watson, the Texans have so much draft capital – especially after any deal involving Watson – is to look to another team and see who they have available.

One team that could be a trade partner is the Chicago Bears. Right now with Andy Dalton injured after he missed time in Week 2 a trade like this might not happen, but if it were, the Texans could most likely use  Day 3 pick to obtain a player like Foles. The former Super Bowl champion quarterback began this season as the third option for the Bears, so he probably isn’t in the long-term plans of the Bears.

Adding a veteran on the Texans roster who has big-time playoff experience would be an excellent source of information for Mills to learn from, as Taylor is injured, and Mills is still learning the NFL game.

3. Cam Newton

If the Houston Texans decide to look at free agent quarterbacks for a season why not have discussions with Cam Newton? Newton is coming off spending a season – and this past training camp/preseason – with the New England Patriots. Before that Newton was one of the very best quarterbacks in the league with the Panthers.

Newton could be an excellent player to take over a roster spot vacated by a possible Deshaun Watson trade, but everyone should remember Newton isn’t the same player who led the Panthers to the Super Bowl.

One plus is Newton knows what it takes to be a winner in the NFL, and being a past NFL MVP, Newton would bring a lot of value to the Texans in 2021. Newton playing for the Texans could revive his career, as the Houston Texans are known for their one-year contracts to help players regain their skills and foundation as a player.

Newton wouldn’t lead the Texans to the Super Bowl in ’21, or even an division title this season, but like with Nick Foles, Newton could take the role as a mentor of Davis Mills to see how he can learn with a past NFL MVP on the roster.

Also with an addition of Newton he could help keep the Texans offense competitive, which could make this season interesting with the on-the-field product.

2. Gardner Minshew

If the Houston Texans want rookie Davis Mills to keep learning from the sideline, and if the Texans believe Tyrod Taylor’s hamstring injury is a long-term issue, why not trade for Philadelphia Eagles third-string quarterback Gardner Minshew? It would be inexpensive addition if the Texans were to trade Deshaun Watson to another franchise.

Minshew was a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars in recent memory, and at times he was apart of some exciting football. This would work for the the Texans in ’21 if they were to trade Deshaun Watson because Minshew has experience playing in the AFC South, and the Texans are familiar with him too.

The question is would the Texans be able to have more success with Minshew as the starter the next few weeks rather than the rookie  Mills? Right now the Texans are 1-1 and tied for first place in the AFC South with the Tennessee Titans, so they are already better than most expected they would be.

Minshew isn’t the quarterback that Deshaun Watson is, but it is very clear Watson isn’t playing for the Texans ever again. It seems the best case scenario is the Texans trade Watson for many draft picks (and some players), and if the Texans don’t get a quarterback in return in a Watson trade, talking with the Eagles for their third option at QB would work for the ’21 season as Taylor heals up.

Minshew was also not active for the Eagles in Week 2 so it is evident he wouldn’t cost the Texans much in a trade. This is just a thought as the Eagles traded a sixth round pick for him.

1. Tua Tagovailoa

This could be the best case scenario for the future of the Houston Texans. Currently Tua Tagovailoa is injured following a big hit in Week 2 that took him out of the game. The Miami Dolphins have shown great interest in Deshaun Watson, so a blockbuster trade for Tagovailoa would be best for the Texans.

The Dolphins have a first round pick for ’22 (from the 49ers) and they have other future first-round picks, plus Tagovailoa, and other players who would look nice playing for the Texans. If Miami wants to be serious about having a franchise quarterback like Deshaun Watson then they are going to have to give a “kings ransom” in return. It is that simple because Watson is a generational talent, so Miami can’t be cheap, and will have to over-spend for a great player like Watson.

Deshaun Watson has made it clear he doesn’t want to play for the Texans that’s fine as he’s an excellent football player, and he’s a great quarterback. Miami could really use him on their team if they want to compete with the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.

A trade for Tagovailoa is best for the future of the Texans, and trading Watson to Miami is best for their present and future as well.

A trade will eventually happen, but whomever decides to trade for Watson – whether it be Miami or another team – they are gaining a Top 5 quarterback in the league, which is tough to find, and it will be costly.

So much will eventually happen at quarterback for the Texans, and if they believe Tagovailoa will be recovered from his injury, then adding him to their roster will be good for the franchise in the long-term, as he’d be a great addition in the current rebuild of the franchise.