Latest On Texans QB Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson is still on the Houston Texans, but team chairman and CEO Cal McNair insinuated that the trade winds could change on a dime. While McNair wouldn’t rate the team’s chances of trading Watson before the November 2nd trade deadline, he did say the situation is fluid and “day-to-day.”
“We’ll just wait and see,” McNair told Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk790. “It’s a day-to-day thing. Nick is in charge of that, so we’ll see how that works out.”
Watson’s initial trade request partly stemmed from the team’s hiring of general manager Nick Caserio and coach David Culley, with the quarterback citing a lack of communication during the process. McNair was asked about the awkward position his GM and HC have been put in, noting they’ve “made the very best of it.”
“I think they’ve been put in a very tough spot, a spot that is not of their choosing and they’ve made the very best of it and sort of worked through it day to day,” McNair said. “So, we’ll see where it goes.”
Meanwhile, a new suitor could emerge in the Watson sweepstakes. While the Dolphins remain the favorite to acquire the quarterback, “some GMs believe the Saints could emerge as a darkhorse,” according to CBS’s Jason La Canfora (and passed along by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Twitter). Meanwhile, La Canfora reiterated that the Eagles aren’t in play for the 26-year-old.
The 2-2 Saints haven’t necessarily struggled to find the end zone, and they’re middle-of-the-road with scoring. While Jameis Winston has done an admirable job filling in for Drew Brees, the Saints also rank toward the bottom of the league in both completions and attempts. The team is clearly keeping Winston on a tight leash, and Watson would provide the Saints with a better chance to replicate the high-powered offense they had for more than a decade.
Eagles Not In Deshaun Watson Mix?
Deshaun Watson is set to go into his fourth game as a healthy scratch for the Texans, but the team is believed to be more open to making a deal. The Texans have softened their asking price for the embattled Pro Bowler.
While the Dolphins are the team most closely connected to Watson, the Eagles have been mentioned as a team monitoring the situation. Philadelphia may be stepping out of the Watson sweepstakes, however, with Fox’s Jay Glazer noting (via Twitter) the team is not currently in the mix for the three-time Pro Bowler.
The legal and civil suits in which Watson is embroiled have torpedoed his trade value, with suitors understandably leery about the quarterback’s availability. The Eagles do have the draft capital to make an interesting offer. Philly has two 2022 first-rounders and would collect a third if Carson Wentz plays 75% of the Colts’ snaps this season. Even if Wentz falls below that threshold, that pick would become a second-rounder in ’22.
Philly also has uncertainty at quarterback. After a strong start, Jalen Hurts‘ audition season has hit an early rough patch. This trend continuing will link the Eagles to the 2022 first-round QB prospects, though that group has not generated the kind of hype the 2020 or 2021 classes did. While the Eagles would make sense as a Watson suitor, the Dolphins may be readier to make a deal before this year’s deadline. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is believed to be behind a Watson trade, even amid the off-field trouble.
This year’s trade deadline is Nov. 2. The Texans would seemingly benefit by hanging onto Watson throughout this season and committing to trade him in the offseason, when more clarity emerges on his availability. If the Eagles are stepping back on a possible 2021 trade, the Dolphins would be in position to benefit — if they are indeed willing to part with notable capital to acquire Watson without knowing what punishment will come to pass.
Texans “Soften” Asking Price For Deshaun Watson
The Texans have begun to “soften” their asking price for embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. With the trade deadline approaching, it’s possible that Watson could be dealt in the next month. 
“Watson made it clear he does not want to play for the Houston Texans,” Glazer said during today’s telecast. “But it’s interesting because while we went into this season, the Texans were not really fielding phone calls. They weren’t open to trade talks unless somebody was going to give them a ridiculous trade offer – more than six draft picks. They’ve already been offered three ones and three threes. However, I was told this past week their stance started to soften a little bit with that.”
The Dolphins remain the “obvious” trade partner for Watson, though owner Stephen Ross seems to be deferring to his less-enthused front office for now. At last check, the Texans had some substantial offers for Watson, though interested clubs want those picks to have conditions attached. Namely, safeguards that would lessen the blow if Watson is suspended or parked on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.
As it stands, Watson could immediately play for any team that trades for him. Still, that could change any minute, pending the outcome of his 22 lawsuits, 10+ police complaints, or the whim of the league office.
Latest On Dolphins, Texans’ Deshaun Watson
Stephen Ross reportedly wants to bring embattled Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson to South Beach. That’s no secret, and that’s a sticking point to the Dolphins’ owner. Ross is unhappy about the late-August leak, according to a source who spoke with PFT. 
Watson could be a game-changer for the Dolphins, but Ross doesn’t want to overrule his football people who seem less excited about the idea. Ross also seems willing to wait until next year, when there should be more clarity on Watson’s legal situation and availability.
The Texans still want three first-round draft picks (and more) for Watson and they want them to come with zero conditions. That doesn’t sit well with the Dolphins or other potentially interested clubs who know that Watson could quickly be parked on the commissioner’s list. Meanwhile, it’s safe to assume that the Panthers’ interest in Watson has cooled. New QB Sam Darnold has Carolina at 2-0, following last night’s 24-9 drumming over Houston.
Even with Tyrod Taylor sidelined, the Texans turned to rookie Davis Mills on Thursday with journeyman Jeff Driskel as his backup. Even if Ross really wants Watson in Miami, it sounds like the three-time Pro Bowler will remain in limbo for the foreseeable future.
Texans Won’t Play Deshaun Watson
No surprise here. Despite Tyrod Taylor‘s injury, head coach David Culley says the Texans will not play Deshaun Watson this week (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
[RELATED: Tyrod Taylor Suffers Hamstring Injury]
Rookie Davis Mills will start on Thursday night when the Texans take on the Panthers. Taylor could be out for more than just one week, of course, but the Texans are awaiting word from doctors on his timeline. Without Taylor, the Browns beat the Texans 31-21. Mills finished the day going 8-of-18 for 102 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Taylor, meanwhile, completed 10 of 11 passes for 125 yards and one TD before he was forced to the sideline.
After the game, Culley declined to say whether Watson could wind up on the 53-man roster. In theory, Watson could be activated as the clipboard holder, but it’d be a shock to see him take the field given the Texans’ stance thus far. To our knowledge, the Texans’ position has not changed — they are willing to trade Watson if another team is willing to forfeit a massive haul of draft picks with zero conditions attached. Otherwise, GM Nick Caserio is ready to pay Watson to not play in 2021 and reevaluate things next year.
Texans Turned Down Three First-Round Picks For Deshaun Watson
The Texans rejected an offer of three first-round draft picks for Deshaun Watson just prior to the draft in April, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (h/t The Houston Chronicle). In theory, that’s pretty close to the team’s reported ask of three first rounders plus second rounders and/or starting-caliber veterans.
[RELATED: Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross ‘Really Wants’ Deshaun Watson?]
There were four teams that were really interested in Watson at one point this offseason, Glazer hears. However, at this point, “most of them have all dropped out.” The Dolphins have been heavily linked to Watson as of late, though there are conflicting reports on their level of interest. While owner Stephen Ross may be high on Watson, two team insiders have heard that he won’t impose his will on the front office. Meanwhile, head coach Brian Flores says that Tua Tagovailoa will continue as his starting quarterback.
The pre-draft offer (and rejection) is certainly notable, but that mystery team may have been offering conditional picks, dependent on Watson’s availability. That’s a non-starter for GM Nick Caserio, who is willing to pay Watson to do nothing in 2021.
Watson is still on the roster, but not on the field. So far, that’s working out just fine for the Texans. On Sunday, Tyrod Taylor led Houston to a 37-21 win over the Jaguars.
Latest On Deshaun Watson, Dolphins’ Interest
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.
Texans GM: “Wouldn’t Expect” Deshaun Watson On Sunday
The Texans will start Tyrod Taylor under center for Sunday’s season opener against the Jaguars. With that in mind, GM Nick Caserio tells Sports Radio 610 that he “wouldn’t expect” embattled star Deshaun Watson to take the field in Week 1 (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 
There’s no secret that the Texans would like to move on from Watson altogether, For his part, the quarterback also wants out. However, Caserio is unwilling to take pennies on the dollar for the talented quarterback. 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, and it’s not clear if the Dolphins have much interest in him. Owner Stephen Ross may want Watson in Miami, but other reports say that he is unwilling to impose his will on the front office. Meanwhile, head coach Brian Flores has backed Tua Tagovailoa as his starter.
That all leaves Watson on the bench behind both Taylor and rookie Davis Mills. Unless something changes, the Texans will pay Watson $10.54MM to ride the pine this year.
Dolphins HC Brian Flores Endorses QB Tua Tagovailoa
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?
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.