The Saints met with Deshaun Watson for a second time on Wednesday night, according to Nick Underhill (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network (Twitter link) hears that the decision is ultimately expected to come down to the Saints and Falcons.
Watson holds a no-trade clause and, therefore, effectively holds the cards. Wilson hears that the Saints have been working hard to get the Texans quarterback on board and they may be on the verge of getting the go-ahead.
Last night, we heard that Watson was “incredibly torn” about his decision after meeting with all four clubs. In addition to the Falcons and Saints, the Panthers and Browns have also been in trade talks with Texans GM Nick Caserio.
It’s also worth noting that the Saints have restructured the contracts of quarterback Taysom Hill, cornerback Bradley Roby, linebacker DeMario Davis and safety Malcolm Jenkins, as Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link) notes. Between those moves and other restructures, the Saints now have roughly $30MM in cap room, which would be enough to absorb Watson’s contract.
No weapons,no cap space and no draft picks plus Watson make the aints the Texans.
Michael thomas, Alvin kamara says otherwise. Also if you had a brain you read they cleared enough cap space
2 guys with question marks around them. Will Thomas be back to his top wr form? Will kamara face any jail time or suspension ?? Probably not but it’s worth considering
And if you had a brain you’d realize they only have enough cap space to take Watson on and not add much more.
The cap space argument is tired. Two weeks ago the saints were like $70mm in the red and now they have $30mm in space. They do it every year and every year we have to have the exact same conversation about it.
They do it every year and still haven’t won anything since the Katrina SB.
Michael Thomas and kamara aren’t weapons?
Kamara is a top 5 RB if he stays out of jail. Thomas has a lot to prove, but that is about it The constant restructuring of contracts only pushes the cap trouble down the road. No draft picks and no Sean Peyton. Panthers have the biggest upside with draft picks and cap space, plus DJ Moore and McCaffrey/Hubbard
Can’t really dog Thomas and then list Mr. Glass McCaffrey who has played 10 games in the past 2 years. What has Hubbard done to warrant mention as a weapon? That 3.6 ypc avg?
Don’t have a dog in the fight, but neither team is “loaded” with weapons.
That’s about it an all pro wide receiver and Perennial pro bowler in kamara versus the unproven upside of the panthers. Got it! Lmao
Panthers suck lmao, please stop. Mcaffrey can’t stay on field and with Rivera gone so are this teams chances of making playoffs with saints and bucs in division. Saints have a far superior roster a top 5 defense and just need a qb
Saints may of asked for that meeting not watson do it may have no bearing on his decision
The saints can ask for anything they want but the fact that Watson went is something. Who cares who requested it. They met
The Texans are the key to where Watson ends up. They will take the best deal.
No they won’t. Watson has a no trade clause, so he can choose where he gets traded.
And if the Texans don’t like the offer he isn’t going there. The contract then gets settled in court. If he wants out bad enough he will go to whichever team the Texans think has the best offer.
Texans have leverage. Watson has leverage.
Doesnt sound like teams are low balling the Texans though. Texans didnt take low ball offers last year; could have easily taken deals just to get away from him.
Now that hes not facing crimimal charges and the fact the Texans werent willing to accept low ball offers under worse circumstances. I do think teams are offering fair offers.
Watsons controllable for at least 3 seasons if traded now or 2 seasons of traded next off season via the franchise tag if he decides to opt out.
Obviously Watson picks where he wants to go. It looks like the Texan’s are well aware of that hence it seems they are asking for the trade package Before the interview. Otherwise Watson picks his team and Houston gets squat or pay him 35 million to not play
Watson has a no trade in his contract. I think he is a big part on where he wants to be traded.
You will continue to be wrong no matter how many times you say this…
Well most players getting traded don’ meet with the teams that are trading for him. Therefore he has a no trade clause and he can waive for it teams he wants to play for.
Can they include Sean Peyton’s coaching rights? Doesn’t have to coach them, but if Peyton wants to come back and go to a certain team the Texans could get more picks.
“Baker, how you doing, Buddy? What’s that? You read what? No, I think that was The Onion Sports Page. Why would we do that, have you heard what that jerk is accused of…? You’ve always been OUR guy!”
You ARE our guy! Trust me!! Would I lie to you???”
This is probably Watson’s ONLY chance to ever be considered a saint…
Tons of credit delivered your way!
Don’t forget about whatever players the saints would send back, that would also move cap space to the Texans and off the saints books
The Saints only have a couple players left that this would be true for. Because of all of the restructuring NO has done, most would leave them with a higher dead money hit than their current cap charge.
Yuck. I’m glad my team and city are not involved in trade rumors for this guy.