The Deshaun Watson saga will likely take a few more twists and turns before it is finally fixed, and we have some new updates to pass on. The Texans still insist that they have no plans to trade the star quarterback, but that doesn’t stop teams from trying.
When / if the Texans eventually give in to Watson’s trade demand, he does have some influence in the form of a trade ban that can prevent him from being treated somewhere he doesn’t want to be. But it sounds like Watson’s number one priority is to leave Houston, and he won’t be too picky about a new destination. “Let me be very clear on this: I think Deshaun Watson will be open about what he’s been traded to. I don’t think he veto too many teams. He wants to go somewhere else than the Texans, ”said Adam Schefter of ESPN.com recently through Barry Jackson and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
That makes it sound like different Matthew Stafford, who reportedly wanted to play for Sean McVay and the Rams, Watson will just be happy to be elsewhere. Last week, there was a report that Watson would prefer the Jets over the Dolphins, but he clearly doesn’t feel that strong about it. That could certainly make facilitating a deal a lot easier. Plus, it looks like the dolphins could become a favorite to land him, despite their recent dedication Tua Tagovailoa.
Jackson and Beasley write that the “sentiment among the league’s power brokers at this week’s Senior Bowl” is that “Miami is Watson’s most likely destination.” A source further down told them that “Miami is seen as the leader behind the scenes.” The Dolphins have a boatload of tow capital and also a young quarterback they could trade, although there are some reports that Houston may not be that interested in Tagovailoa.
If the Texans don’t want Tua, Jackson and Beasley to drive a scenario where the Dolphins package chooses with shut-off angle Xavien Howard, who they write is “expected to ask for a trade” if he doesn’t get the new contract he’s looking for. There are a lot of moving parts here, and we should know a lot more soon, so be sure to check back.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.