Although Deshaun Watson‘s 2022 availability is very much in doubt, another team is set to enter the mix for the embattled Texans quarterback. A day after trading Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are interested in acquiring Watson, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
The Seahawks obtained two first-round picks, two seconds and a fifth for Wilson, whom the Broncos landed to finally fill their quarterback void. The Broncos were not believed to be interested in Watson after his sexual assault and sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last year, but other teams remain in the mix. After the Dolphins bowed out, the Panthers and Eagles have been connected to the Pro Bowl talent. And the Seahawks now have some additional resources to pursue a new starter. The Texans have not reduced their asking price, eyeing three first-round picks and more assets.
[RELATED: Dolphins GM Shuts Door On Watson Pursuit]
Watson, 26, is set to appear before a grand jury Friday, which will also feature developments in the quarterback’s civil cases. An indictment would mean Watson’s football career will again slide to the back burner. A stay on the commissioner’s exempt list would likely follow, opening the door to the prospect of multiple lost seasons for the one-time Houston centerpiece player. Even without an indictment, it is hard to imagine the passer avoiding a lengthy suspension in 2022.
Watson’s off-field issues have not stopped teams from entering the fray. With Wilson and Aaron Rodgers off the trade market, he is by far the biggest name available. The Panthers have been connected to Watson for over a year, and the quarterback-needy team discussed a deal with the Texans before the 2021 trade deadline. The Eagles also looked into Watson extensively last year. Watson did not waive his no-trade clause for anyone but the Dolphins, however. Now that they are out of the picture, he will need to reconsider other options. The Seahawks being a new suitor adds intrigue to this complex situation. The Commanders were also interested in Watson, per Wilson, but they have since traded for Carson Wentz.
Seattle used the same starting quarterback for all but three games over the past 10 years. Wilson made nine Pro Bowls and took the team to two Super Bowls and eight playoff brackets. Only one season elapsed between the Matt Hasselbeck and Wilson eras, making the current circumstances rather unusual for one of the 21st century’s most successful franchises. From this angle, it makes sense the Seahawks would pursue Watson. The Broncos included Drew Lock in the Wilson trade, but the Seahawks will surely aim higher. It appears they are willing to gauge Watson’s interest.
Watson was connected to Minnesota and Tampa Bay as destinations, though not much has emerged on those fronts in recent weeks. Seattle joins those teams in having impact wide receivers and having made recent postseason appearances, and the team plays in a division that houses Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and a 49ers team that just ventured to the NFC title game. With just Lock in the picture for now, the Seahawks are well off the pace.
Not shocking after the trade. Watson has a similar skill set, and the Seahawks’ current regime has shown themselves to have a very separate spheres kind of policy in regards to players off the field and on the field. Carroll will say his usual sound bites and be positive and enthusiastic and say a whole lot of nothing publically when questioned about Watson’s case, which could drag on for some time. Given Watson’s uncertain future, that kind of approach is about all a team can do when adding a player in this situation.
Football scheme/roster wise, this fits. Outside of that, I don’t know if it’s a good idea for any team to trade so much for a potentially unavailable player, or how will affect their image publically. There’s a moral obligation to consider for many people as well that will affect their thoughts on Carroll andSeattle for some time. Of course, winning rings changes all that, but this would a big move.
When he plays Watson has proven he is an amazing qb. With that said he should be playing in the prison league next year but we know that won’t happen. Hope he keeps rotting on the bench while this drags on
Seattle better not spend the draft capitol to get this perv. They need to trade down with the 1st rnd pick for a one next year. Unless there is a player they really want that isn’t a QB. Wait till next year to see if there is a QB they want. Move up if they have to they will have 3 picks. If no QB is good next year trade around get another 1 the year after. They got lucky with Wilson but I would rather they wait until there is a good one there than waste a pick on a dud. We have seen teams do that too many times. They could trade for Lawrence and be all good though. lol I don’t think the Seahawks fans would be welcoming to Watson and I don’t see Jody being interested in him.
Why would Watson want to go to Seattle? You don’t think he paid attention to a slow & plodding offense while Russ was behind center? Check out this Greg Olsen quote from earlier today.
“I never thought they had a personnel issue,” Olsen told “The Colin Cowherd Podcast”. “The conversations that I would have with the coaches, and the amount of pushback and the amount of questions that I would get in return, saying ‘We’re not sure if we can do this, I’m not sure if we can protect this.’ And I’d sit there scratching my head. It was like we were playing with a JV roster. It was like we were playing with a rookie undrafted quarterback.
“I just think the ideology there was always defense first, kicking game, punt the ball, field position, force turnovers, defensive-led, and then they’d hand the ball to Russ at the end of the game and say go be magic. I just think it was part of Russell’s frustration.”
Why should he really get a choice of where to get traded to? I realize he has a no trade clause, but a long suspension with no pay is imminent. Teams and there fan base will not look kindly on acquiring him. Especially if gross details come out regarding his actions in these suits. Even Seattle may not accept his baggage
You answered your won question. His no trade clause allows him to pick and choose where he wants to play.
Word is Russ declined to play for both the Eagles and DC; thanks to his no trade clause.
Because Seattle won more games than every franchise in the NFL not named the Patriots. That is why they believe in their philosophy.
That’s fair, but at a certain point, being “good enough” isn’t enough for players. There’s only so much trust you can give to a franchise before you start to worry if it’ll ever happen again for you. That’s why guys like Wilson or Rodgers start to get agitated.
They’ve been to the playoffs enough, and been good enough times. They want to go further, and to them, settling for “being good” as a team is frustrating when they think that they could be better in some way and management doesn’t make that move that they think they need. Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong, but if they think that the effort isn’t being made, they’ll get frustrated. I can understand, after being patient for years, wanting to leave froma perspective point of view.
Sure. I guess we will find out who is right! The Hawks think that in the current NFL an expensive QB like the Packers, Chiefs, and now Broncos have makes it impossible to put a roster around that QB good enough to win championships. You will be good enough, but the 49ers or Bengals will beat them in the playoffs with a better team. Russ thinks that if he were the GM they would have won more rings than Brady even with a 50 million dollar cap hit. We will see.
Doesn’t yet qualify for Seattle, once he’s convicted he will be Seahawks material.
Let’s trade disgruntled QBs…what could go wrong?
The Seahawks will lose their fanbase support if they trade a legend and replace him with a registered sex offender.
This whole quarterback carousel is getting to sound like that old underwear changing joke, i.e., “Smith, you change with Jones. Andrews, you change with Murphy…”
Please do not trade for Watson. Trade for Gardner Minshew. The guy is good!
No he isn’t. I’d still rather have Matt Flynn or Charlie Whitehurst. It wouldn’t be worth being good if it meant having Watson on your team and in your city. We have a responsibility to protect the women in our community from this guy.