Deshaun Watson - Pro Football Rumors

Dolphins HC Brian Flores Endorses QB Tua Tagovailoa

August 31st, 2021 at 4:46pm CST by Ben Levine

With rumors persisting regarding a potential Deshaun Watson-to-Miami trade, Dolphins coach Brian Flores has made it clear where he stands on the matter. In a “brief but poignant” address to the team, Flores acknowledged the trade rumors and reiterated that Tua Tagovailoa is “our quarterback,” per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington (on Twitter).

As the reporter notes, this information “isn’t intended to dispute recent reporting” regarding the Watson trade rumors. Rather, “it is a reflection of the moment,” with the head coach making it clear that Tagovailoa is the team’s intended starter moving forward. Darlington also speculates that Flores will continue “to echo a similar sentiment in the weeks to come.”

It was only earlier today that we heard Dolphins owner Stephen Ross “really wants” Watson in Miami. However, the Dolphins front office continues to balk at the trade price, and some pundits believe the organization may be angling to acquire the QB while his value is low amid legal uncertainty. On the flip side, other reporters noted that Ross believes in Tagovailoa and “doesn’t force football decisions.”

Flores said on Monday that the team wanted “high character throughout the building,” which many interpreted as him throwing cold water on the Watson speculation. Today’s private endorsement of Tagovailoa only reinforces that the head coach is a proponent of moving forward with the former Alabama star.

Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross ‘Really Wants’ Deshaun Watson?

August 31st, 2021 at 12:42pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

There have been conflicting reports about the Dolphins’ level of interest in trading for Deshaun Watson, and now we may know why. It appears there may be something of a split in the organization, perhaps between ownership and the coaching staff.

Miami owner Stephen Ross “really wants” Watson, a source told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweeted that he’s heard the same, although he writes that the Dolphins “have balked at asking price.” However, he thinks if the team “can get him at good value amid legal uncertainty, that would appeal to Ross.”

That’s not the case, according to sources who spoke with Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter links). Any word to the contrary “is inaccurate” because Ross believes in Tua Tagovailoa and “doesn’t force football decisions.”

Meanwhile, we just heard earlier this morning that the Texans won’t be trading Watson today, meaning they’ll be keeping him on their initial 53-man roster. Ross’ desire for the embattled quarterback could put him in conflict with head coach Brian Flores. Flores said on Monday that the team wanted “high character throughout the building,” which many interpreted as him throwing cold water on the Watson speculation.

Of course, the team has Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback right now, and if a trade doesn’t materialize this will have proved to have all been an unwelcome distraction for Flores right before the start of the season.

Whatever the case, it’s interesting to know that ownership is apparently driving Miami’s pursuit of Watson. It’s a dynamic that threatens to throw a wrench in everything, and potentially lead to some messy fallout.

Texans Won’t Trade Deshaun Watson Today

August 31st, 2021 at 9:51am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are not expected to trade Deshaun Watson before today’s 4pm ET/3pm CT roster deadline, sources tell Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Barring something unexpected, the Texans are poised to keep him into the regular season and, possibly, for the entire year.

This jibes with recent word that the Texans are willing to have Watson on the 53-man roster and inactive every week moving forward. Before the allegations, the Texans received offers including three first-round picks. Now, there are still offers with picks on the table, but clubs want those picks to be conditional based on Watson’s availability to play. For now, the Texans aren’t willing to accept such contingencies.

Watson would reportedly prefer a trade to the Dolphins but would not veto a deal that sends him to the Panthers. For now, he’s getting neither — the Texans are set to pay him $10.54MM to not play for them this season.

Texans Prepared To Keep Deshaun Watson Inactive For 2021

August 30th, 2021 at 3:01pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It doesn’t look like a Deshaun Watson trade is imminent, and it certainly doesn’t look like he’ll be playing for the Texans anytime soon. A third, and perhaps most likely, option has now emerged.

Houston is “prepared to have Deshaun Watson on the 53-man roster and inactive every week,” sources told veteran NFL writer Aaron Wilson (Twitter link). That echoes the sentiment from Albert Breer of SI.com, who has some additional details. Notably, Breer reports that “packages involving three first-round picks (and then some) were discussed by interested teams,” before the sexual harassment allegations against Watson came to light.

Breer says, like we’ve heard before, that teams now want to make any draft picks traded for Watson conditional based on his availability to play. Breer writes that he hasn’t “gotten any indication that the Texans are willing to tie their return to those sorts of contingencies,” leading us to the current impasse.

To make it even more firm, Michael Lombardi of The Athletic tweets that Houston “has no intentions of trading Watson” right now, and that the team “turned down a huge offer” from a rival franchise over the summer.

If interested teams and the Texans are both locked in on those positions, which makes perfect sense, Houston holding on to Watson until his off-field issues are resolved would seem to be the logical move.

One reason the Texans might be incentivized to hold out until the offseason would be that they would know the precise value of any 2022 draft picks they were trading for, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network points out (Twitter video link). They wouldn’t have to guess about where their trade partner would end up in the draft order.

On the other hand, Rapsheet also points out that there’s no guarantee the civil (and potentially criminal) proceedings against Watson are wrapped up by the spring either. Even still, it now sounds like the Texans paying Watson $10.54MM to not play for them in 2021 might be the likeliest scenario.

Latest On Deshaun Watson Market

August 28th, 2021 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Deshaun Watson market, as muddled as it may be, reclaimed its place atop the NFL news cycle Saturday. Texans GM Nick Caserio has discussed the Pro Bowl quarterback on more than one occasion with the Dolphins and Panthers, Armando Salguero of outkick.com reports.

Watson would prefer a trade to Miami but would not veto a deal that sends him to Charlotte, Salguero adds. The soon-to-be 26-year-old QB has a no-trade clause. The Panthers are not believed to be making a hard push for the Clemson product at this point, but they were monitoring him recently and showed considerable interest this offseason — before the sexual assault and misconduct allegations emerged.

As of now, however, the Dolphins are not meeting the first part of the Texans’ lofty asking price. Miami is not ready to part with three first-round picks for Watson, per Salguero, who adds no trade is imminent. The Texans are believed to want three first-rounders and two second-rounders for Watson, who requested a trade this past winter and has not factored into the team’s practices this summer. Houston is not expected to fetch such a haul for Watson, Adam Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com notes, if a deal is made soon.

Miami remains interested at the right price, and if that is the case, Houston may not be able to keep its lofty price tag where it presently is. The Panthers’ interest having dwindled, and the Broncos and Eagles potentially bowing out — as Aaron Wilson of Sports Talk 790 reports, Watson will not waive his no-trade clause for Philly — may leave just one serious suitor. That would obviously benefit the Dolphins.

Additionally, the Texans are not believed to be interested in a deal that includes Tua Tagovailoa, per Salguero. That could change, but any deal for Watson not including Tagovailoa would leave the former No. 5 overall pick in a strange situation. The Dolphins were linked to Tagovailoa a year before they actually selected him, but Beasley notes the some concern about his development exists within the organization. Not everyone in the Dolphins’ organization is concerned about Tua, with the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson noting the team has been pleased with the second-year QB’s improvement. GM Chris Grier has committed to Tagovailoa as his 2021 starter on multiple occasions during the offseason.

Tagovailoa would have no path to a starting job on a team with Watson, assuming his legal trouble does not result in prison time. While Tagovailoa could serve as the Dolphins’ starter during a Watson suspension, the team would almost certainly need to unload the younger quarterback in a separate trade at some point.

It would certainly be strange for a team to acquire Watson at this point. Twenty-two women have filed civil suit against him, and at least 10 are involved in the Houston Police Department’s investigation. A grand jury is set to be empaneled soon, and the NFL is not planning to interview Watson until it has spoken with all 22 accusers. The Pro Bowl passer is not set to be deposed in the civil case until February 2022. While this would create a window for Watson to play this season, though a grand jury indictment would seemingly prompt the NFL to place him on the commissioner’s exempt list, a team that acquires the QB under these circumstances would face backlash.

Dolphins Frontrunners For Deshaun Watson?

August 28th, 2021 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite no clarity having emerged on the Deshaun Watson legal front, trade buzz has resurfaced. Long connected to a possible run at the Texans quarterback, the Dolphins may well have circled back to pursuing him.

The Dolphins are believed to be the favorites to acquire the embattled passer, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports (on Twitter). The Texans do appear to be negotiating, per Robinson, who adds the Broncos, Eagles and Panthers have expressed interest. However, the no-trade clause that allows Watson to block a deal to an undesirable destination has impacted the talks and moved Miami to the front (Twitter link).

Although Watson’s value has veered into a strange place, with the 22 civil suits and a Houston PD investigation clouding the Pro Bowler’s football career, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes that a trade may well take place in the coming days. Watson no longer appears to be in the Texans’ plans. He is not atop their depth chart and has not practiced with the team in a notable capacity this year.

While the Panthers re-emerged as a player in these talks, they may not be as interested as the Dolphins. Carolina is not believed to be a serious Watson suitor at this point, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and The Athletic’s Joe Person (Twitter links). The Panthers were perhaps the most interested in Watson earlier this year, but the off-field issues changed the organization’s thinking on this front. Carolina is rolling with Sam Darnold for the time being, though the team almost certainly would have moved on Watson sooner if the legal issues did not crop up.

Were the Dolphins to pull the trigger on such a deal, they would certainly draw ire from a portion of their fanbase — due to the numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct that surfaced this year — and it would represent a massive organizational pivot. The team was linked to Tua Tagovailoa ahead of the 2019 draft, when it passed on that year’s crop of QBs, and used the No. 5 overall pick on 2020 on the Alabama product. Tagovailoa did not prove to be a quick study as a rookie, though he was coming off a severe hip injury. Punting on the young southpaw so early would surprise, but the Dolphins were believed to be interested in Watson prior to the off-field trouble surfacing earlier this year. Prior to the lawsuits, Miami had prepared a big offer.

A Watson trade would not necessarily end Tagovailoa’s time in Miami, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley, but it would seem the second-year passer would need to head elsewhere to continue his career if the more established QB is Florida-bound (Twitter link).

Compensation in a trade will obviously be a significant issue. The Texans have sought a package of three first-round picks and change, with second-rounders and/or proven players also believed to be desired by the rebuilding squad. It will be difficult to imagine a team giving up all that for Watson at this time, but thus far, the Texans have stood firm on their asking price — particularly in a deal involving an AFC team. The NFL refusing to place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list has put the Texans in a tough spot, but unloading Watson now would be selling low — in the event the team cannot pry three first-rounders and change in a deal.

Latest On Texans, Deshaun Watson

August 21st, 2021 at 1:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are willing to part ways with Deshaun Watson, but only if their conditions are met. They’re still sticking to their lofty asking price and have zero intention of dialing it down for the Dolphins or other AFC teams (Twitter link via Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports).

The Texans are seeking two first round picks plus two second rounders — or two starting-caliber veterans. That’s a significant ask considering that Watson is still facing civil suits from 20+ women, the possibility of an NFL suspension, and potential criminal charges.

The Panthers and “several” other teams have monitored Watson in recent months, but the Texans would prefer to send him out of the conference. Meanwhile, GM Nick Caserio doesn’t seem to be in any rush. The Texans would be okay with paying Watson to not play if he’s placed on team or the Commissioner’s Exempt list. Then, after paying his $10.54MM salary for 2022, they could pursue a better haul next year, when/if his off-the-field matters are resolved.

With the season opener just days away, Watson sits fourth on the Texans’ quarterback depth chart. Barring any sudden changes, the Texans will move forward with Tyrod Taylor and third-round pick Davis Mills as their top QBs.

FBI Involved In Watson Investigation

August 19th, 2021 at 6:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

As Deshaun Watson continues to train intermittently at the Texans’ facility but away from the team’s drills, the off-field issues that have ensnared him for months have kept churning. The FBI is now involved.

The attorney representing the 22 women who have filed civil suit against Watson, Tony Buzbee, said the FBI has contacted him regarding the suits, via League of Justice’s Amy Dash. The FBI has met with Buzbee three times, met with some of his clients and spoken with Watson. The Texans quarterback reaching out to two out-of-state masseuses over the internet brought the FBI into the equation, per Buzbee.

Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said the FBI is investigating one of the plaintiffs for extortion, indicating (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop). Watson spoke to the FBI to discuss one of his accusers’ allegations, per Hardin, who said he will continue to cooperate with the FBI.

The civil suits emerged first, and this matter remains ongoing. The Houston Police Department’s investigation now involves at least 10 women — eight of which are part of the civil case — and a grand jury. An indictment may be in the cards for Watson, which could well prompt the NFL to place the Pro Bowl passer on the commissioner’s exempt list. The league has thus far refused to do so, leaving the Texans in an awkward spot. The NFL is not planning to interview Watson until its interviews with all 22 civil accusers have commenced.

With less than a month remaining until the regular season, Watson sits fourth on the Texans’ depth chart as the team transitions to a new offensive system. Having requested a trade before the accusations emerged, Watson remains in limbo. He has not missed a game since tearing an ACL in 2017, but given the multiple legal issues, the fifth-year QB looks highly unlikely to suit up to start this season.

Grand Jury To Be Convened In Deshaun Watson Case

August 15th, 2021 at 10:36am CST by Rory Parks

A grand jury will be convened to determine if there is sufficient evidence against Texans QB Deshaun Watson to bring criminal charges against him, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 KRIV (via Twitter). As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, Watson’s camp has expected that this would be the case, so it’s not as though the embattled QB is surprised by the development.

Of the 22 women who have filed civil suits against Watson alleging sexual abuse/misconduct, 10 of them have filed criminal complaints. At this time, the Harris County DA’s Office is sending out subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify before the grand jury.

It would not be surprising if an indictment is handed down. As Florio points outs, the nature of grand jury proceedings — which take place without the defendant present and without the opportunity for the defendant’s attorney to cross-examine witnesses — make an indictment relatively easy for prosecutors to obtain.

If Watson is, in fact, indicted, it would likely be enough for the NFL to place him on the Commissioner’s Exempt list, which has been rumored for some time but which has not happened yet. Following the publication of an expansive piece by Jenny Vrentas of SI.com (subscription required) that criticizes the league’s investigation into the allegations against Watson, the NFL has said there is still no change to Watson’s playing status (Twitter link via ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin).

Indeed, veteran writer Clarence Hill Jr. reports that the league is not planning to interview Watson until it has spoken to all 22 of his accusers, and as of right now, it has only spoken to 10 (Twitter link). So, even if an indictment forces the NFL to put Watson on paid leave, it seems as if this matter is still a long way from a resolution, both in the courtroom and on the football field.

Deshaun Watson Out For Texans’ Preseason Opener

August 10th, 2021 at 9:51am CST by Zachary Links

Texans GM Nick Caserio told SportsRadio 610 that he does not expect Deshaun Watson to travel with the team to Green Bay this weekend (Twitter link). So, at minimum, Watson won’t face the Packers to start the preseason. Beyond that, it’s unclear if the Texans will actually put Watson on the field.

Caserio says that both he and head coach David Culley have had multiple conversations with Watson over the last week, but declined to provide much in the way of additional info (Twitter link). Any other talk concerning Watson, he says, is “speculation.” That includes the latest batch of conflicting info — longtime team insider John McClain hears that Watson has played his final down in Houston. Meanwhile, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports hears that the Texans haven’t ruled out some type of arrangement to keep him this year and trade him in 2022, a la Aaron Rodgers.

The Panthers and “several” other teams are said to be keeping tabs on Watson, even though he could be parked on the commissioner’s exempt list at any moment. Right now, it doesn’t sound like the Texans are entertaining calls on their one-time franchise face or backing down from their surprisingly steep asking price — five high draft picks plus quality veterans.