Tyrod Taylor will be the Texans’ starting QB for today’s regular season opener against the Jaguars, and perhaps for the entire 2021 season. But Deshaun Watson — who will be a healthy scratch — is the one generating all the news and rumors.
At least until the November 2 trade deadline, or thereabouts, Watson will continue to watch games from the sideline. Although there has been plenty of chatter that the league could place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list until his legal dilemma is resolved, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk points out that there is no reason for the NFL to take such action if it doesn’t have to. With the Texans content to pay Watson to sit while they wait for the right trade offer, and with Watson happy to collect a paycheck while never playing another snap for Houston, the embattled signal-caller is effectively on paid leave as it is.
So don’t expect anything to change in that regard unless Watson is traded. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, some of the clubs that expressed interest in dealing for Watson this offseason could become more aggressive around the deadline if their current QB situations prove to be unsatisfactory. Rapoport’s sources suggest that teams like the Dolphins, Eagles, Panthers, and Broncos might revisit Watson talks if need be.
But rival GMs tell Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports that a trade is highly unlikely, which obviously doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Rapoport hears that the criminal side of the situation is still weeks away from a resolution, and we already knew that Watson’s deposition for the civil suits will not take place until February 2022. As one exec put it, “How does anyone make that trade now? Who does it? You don’t know what you are getting and as soon as you get him the league steps in and puts him on the Exempt List. You think they want him on the field right now? We’ve checked with the league, and they have no idea when any of this will be cleared up.”
Still, the Dolphins loom as a potential trade partner. As Florio reports in a separate piece, it was not Watson’s uncertain availability that prevented Miami from swinging a deal for the three-time Pro Bowler recently, it was the asking price.
Texans GM Nick Caserio is determined to get as much for Watson as possible. We have heard that Caserio is seeking three first-round picks and at least two second-rounders, though Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says Caserio wants a combination of six players and picks. Regardless, it’s a massive price tag, and while the Dolphins were apparently willing to take a big gamble, they were not prepared to go quite as far as Caserio would like.
But if Watson is not indicted, and if Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa should struggle over the season’s first few weeks, perhaps Houston and Miami can find a middle ground before November 2.
Any team that would trade for Watson before his legal issues are settled is a team run by absolute fools. Heck even discussing a future trade for him seems foolish to me at this point. How do you evaluate compensation for a guy who may not be able to play for anyone for quite some time?
Compensation aside, the PR blowback a team would face if they traded for him before a legal resolution would be unreal.
Maybe a 7th lol or late 6th. Haha
True on both posts. I think most GMs believe that they could handle the PR blowback (teams have done it before for much more serious crimes, albeit for much lower profile players), whether that’s correct or incorrect.
The unavailable part, though, is pretty unarguable. Even if Watson settles his civil suit and the criminal investigation clears him, there is almost no chance that the league will let him off for something so distracting without any missed time. Of course, you can’t make that call without knowing the results of the suit and investigation. A six game suspension for four years of Watson? Most teams would make that trade. A year in prison or firing of liability in a civil suit that bumps up that suspension to a season or more? A GM probably would not-and should not-make that deal.
if he gets suspended, the games he’s missing right now should be used as time served.
Why? He’s not playing because he wants to be traded, not as a punishment.
We were all wondering whatever happened to that Deshaun Watson fellow…
What’s it take to get an indictment on this guy? I’m in for life for accidentally misgendering somebody, this guys debating whether or not to play football after raking 2 dozen masseuse where’s the disconnect
Hard pass, Miami needs to see what they have in Tua, now that he’s healthy.
Could you imagine waiting decades to become a HC then get stuck w/ that roster and team? I believe it’s gonna be a long, ugly year for them.
It might be… but it wasn’t today.
Knowing the explicit details of what he did, I never want to lay eyes on him again. Too creepy…..
Allegedly did. Innocent until proven guilty.
Must be a Texans fan…
Well, he’s right. Don’t get in the habit of thinking a complaint is a factual document. Just be open to whatever can be proven, and make up your mind at the end. Until then, be prepared, but don’t decide until it’s all over. Trust me, what comes out can be surprising, for either perspective. Heck, sometimes it makes it worse.
I’m a Texans fan 100… but innocent until proven guilty does not pertain to public opinion in any way. Asking someone to not form an opinion based on what they hear and see is impossible. At the end of the day, his opinion will be either right… or wrong.
What? Nobody said that he was innocent. What you’re saying is that nobody should ever disagree, ever? Whatever your opinion is, the fact remains that you should always recognize the possibility that there is more to a story than you know. I don’t think Watson is “innocent” or “guilty” (neither of which really are relevant in a civil trial as is). I’m saying that the complaint is just that-a complaint. It’s what one party says happened. We have to be aware that there is another side of that story, and then independently of either one, is the truth.
The truth may be even worse for Watson. It could be better. I’m not telling you that you’re not allowed to have an opinion, if that’s what you’re saying. I’m saying that it’s best to reserve your judgement until you can see some better vetted information than what you get from two bombastic lawyers going at it in the media. Patience will not hurt you here. I’m not sure I understand your argument at all here.
It’s disgusting.
– T. Bauer
I’d be impressed if they get half the haul they’re looking for. Even if he does come back and he’s cleared, this is still going to loom in the back of his head and the pressure of dealing with players, the press, etc. is going to be tough.
It would also be a bad PR look from the perspective considering Tua has such a great image and at the moment Watson does not. Will be interesting to see how things develop with Watson this season.
Another click bait dumb article… Thanks for nothing Rory Parks… Great win in Boston today TUA! Keep it up!
Looked all over this story for something different than what’s been printed for the last four weeks and didn’t find anything.
ANOTHER retread article for a desperate sports writer.. Florio reported last week the Texans wanted 6 first round picks for Watson.. That’s why they rejected an offer of 3. Franchise is living in fantasy land…. And any franchise willing to give up that much is run by morons.