Giants Not Planning Deshaun Watson Pursuit
Certainly one of the many teams who would upgrade significantly at quarterback by acquiring Deshaun Watson, the Giants are not expected to entertain that prospect.
The Giants will not pursue Watson, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter). The franchise, as could be expected, is committed to Daniel Jones going forward.
With GM Dave Gettleman having surprised most by pulling the trigger on Jones at No. 6 overall in 2019, it should not surprise the franchise is fully committed to giving the former Duke prospect a third season at the controls. Last month, Gettleman said the Giants have “complete confidence” in Jones. The Giants are also expected to retain OC Jason Garrett, ensuring Jones will not have to play in three offensive systems in his first three seasons.
Jones’ contract runs through 2022, and the Giants will have the 2021 season to determine how they will proceed regarding the quarterback’s fifth-year option. That decision is not due until May 2022. Should the Giants exercise that option, Jones’ 2023 salary becomes fully guaranteed.
The Giants’ offense regressed from 18th in scoring in 2019 to 31st this past season, though their DVOA mark plunged only from 23rd to 26th in this span. Jones threw 24 touchdown passes in 2019 — fourth-most all time among rookie passers — but just 11 in 2020. He leads the NFL in fumbles over the past two seasons, with 29, but did not drop too far in Total QBR from 2019-20. That metric placed Jones 18th in 2019 and 20th in 2020.
Thus far, the Dolphins, Jets and Panthers have been the teams most closely connected to Watson. It will take a historic trade package to pry the three-time Pro Bowler from the Texans, who have continued to insist they are not interested in a deal.
Jackson: Watson Interested In Broncos
Kareem Jackson‘s final two Texans seasons overlapped with the start of Deshaun Watson‘s Houston stay. Jackson left for Denver in 2019 and has one season remaining on his contract. He has spoken with his former teammate about his interest in the Broncos as a trade destination.
Watson is interested in Denver as a destination, per Jackson, who told TMZ Sports he has discussed this topic on multiple occasions with the disgruntled quarterback. The Broncos figure to be among the many teams interested in Watson, should the Texans make him available. Watson requested a trade last week, shortly after the Texans hired David Culley as head coach.
Like the Panthers, who are planning to make a push for Watson after being in the mix for Matthew Stafford, the Broncos present an intriguing wide receiver group. But Denver would not be able to put together the kind of draft pick package the Dolphins and Jets could. The Broncos hold the No. 9 overall pick, but the Jets and Dolphins have top-three selections and additional first-rounders this year. The Jets have two first-rounders this year and next. Watson, who has a no-trade clause that will allow him to approve his destination, is also believed to be open to most deals.
New Broncos GM George Paton exchanged offers with the Lions for Stafford, though the longtime Vikings exec balked at including promising young players on his new team in the deal. Those talks did include Drew Lock, however. Watson is certainly a more valuable asset than Stafford, going into his age-26 season on the heels of three Pro Bowls (to Stafford’s one in 12 seasons), so it will be interesting to see how serious the Broncos would be if Watson is made available. Acquiring Watson will require one of the best trade packages in NFL history.
The Broncos have used nine starting quarterbacks in the five seasons since Peyton Manning retired. They used a first-round pick on a passer in 2016 (Paxton Lynch), a second-rounder on Lock in 2019 and have acquired starters via the trade route (Joe Flacco) and free agency (Case Keenum). Before the Broncos signed Keenum in 2018, a few of their Super Bowl holdovers made pitches to Kirk Cousins. The team, which has seen almost all of its Super Bowl 50 cogs depart, remains in search of quarterback stability. Limited by this position, the Broncos ranked 30th in offensive DVOA in 2020.
Deshaun Watson Won’t Veto Many Teams, Dolphins Favorite To Land Him?
The Deshaun Watson saga will likely take at least several more twists and turns before it’s finally resolved, and we’ve got a couple of new updates to pass along. The Texans are still insisting they have no plans to trade the star quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying.
When/if the Texans finally relent to Watson’s trade demand, he does have some leverage in the form of a no-trade clause that can prevent him from getting dealt somewhere he doesn’t want to be. But it sounds like Watson’s main priority is getting out of Houston, and he won’t be too picky about a new destination. “Let me be very clear about this: I think Deshaun Watson is going to be open about where he’s traded to. I don’t think he’s going to veto too many teams. He wants to go anywhere other than the Texans,” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said recently, via Barry Jackson and Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
That makes it sound like unlike Matthew Stafford, who reportedly wanted to go play for Sean McVay and the Rams, Watson will just be happy to be anywhere else. There was a report last week that Watson would prefer the Jets to the Dolphins, but clearly he doesn’t feel all that strongly about it. That certainly could make facilitating a deal a lot easier. Additionally, it looks like the Dolphins could be emerging as a favorite to land him despite their recent commitment to Tua Tagovailoa.
Jackson and Beasley write that the “sense among league power brokers at this week’s Senior Bowl” is that “Miami is Watson’s likeliest destination.” Going further, one source told them that “Miami is seen as the front-runner behind the scenes.” The Dolphins have a boatload of draft capital and also a young quarterback they could trade, although there have been some reports that Houston might not be that interested in Tagovailoa.
If the Texans don’t want Tua, Jackson and Beasley float a scenario where the Dolphins package picks with shutdown corner Xavien Howard, who they write is “expected to ask for a trade” if he doesn’t get the new contract that he’s seeking. There are a lot of moving parts here, and we should know a lot more soon so make sure to check back.
Texans GM: “Zero Interest” In Deshaun Watson Trade
Deshaun Watson wants out. The Texans won’t blink. On Friday, Texans GM Nick Caserio and new head coach David Culley reiterated their desire to keep the quarterback in Houston. 
[RELATED: Panthers To Pursue Watson]
“Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson,” said Caserio, pre-empting the slew of questions to come about Watson (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). “We have zero interest in trading the player..We have a great plan and vision for him. We look forward to spending more time with him.”
Caserio believes that “honest” and “forthright” communication can mend fences between the Texans and their star quarterback. Culley agreed as he backed up the GM with an even more confident declaration.
“He is a Houston Texan. I want him to be a Houston Texan,” said Culley (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). “The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”
Watson is interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets with a slight preference towards the Jets…or the Dolphins, depending on who you ask. The Panthers have also jumped in, less than one year after signing Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63MM deal. The Jets and Dolphins could line up especially well for a trade, given their wealth of draft capital. And, with the Dolphins, the Texans could try for a Tua Tagovailoa trade.
But, despite all of the possibilities — and Watson’s strong desire to get out of town — the Texans say he’s staying put.
Panthers To Pursue Deshaun Watson Trade
Even if the Texans have not let it be known they are serious about trading Deshaun Watson, there will be a number of teams who show interest in the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. Count the Panthers as one of them.
The rebuilding NFC South squad is planning to make an “aggressive” pursuit for Watson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). Carolina joins Miami and the Jets as teams closely connected to a potential run at Watson, though it is not yet known if the Panthers would appeal to Watson.
Watson holds a no-trade clause and is believed to be interested in both AFC East destinations. Both the Jets and Dolphins hold two 2021 first-round picks, which will increase their respective abilities to put together trade packages. The Panthers have, however, been mentioned as a suitor recently. Watson’s long-rumored trade request became fully known Thursday.
Regional appeal could seemingly be in play regarding a Watson-Carolina fit. The franchise quarterback is a Georgia native who played four seasons at Clemson in South Carolina. The NFL’s North Carolina-based franchise has a low-end franchise-QB salary on its books, after it signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year deal worth $63MM, but Bridgewater presumably would not impede the Matt Rhule-run squad from going after Watson.
When asked about Watson recently, new Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said the team will “be in on every deal,” per ESPN.com’s David Newton (on Twitter). The Panthers being an NFC team may have appeal to the Texans, who would surely prefer — if they were to trade Watson — to make a deal with an out-of-conference franchise rather than be forced to see Watson frequently in the coming years.
The Panthers reside in the middle of the pack when it comes to cap space, and thanks to Bridgewater’s $33MM in full guarantees, they would take a bit of a dead-money hit if they released or traded him. A player of Watson’s caliber would certainly supersede any near-future dead-money concerns for a franchise that recently gave HC Matt Rhule a seven-year contract. Watson’s $39MM-per-year deal runs through the 2025 season.
The team also has talented skill-position cogs Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson under contract for at least two more seasons — assuming Moore’s fifth-year option is picked up come May. Carolina will also be connected to quarterback prospects with its No. 8 overall pick. That selection, the Panthers’ 2022 first-rounder and likely more would be required in an offer for Watson.
Texans’ Deshaun Watson Requests Trade
Deshaun Watson has officially asked the Texans for a trade, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Watson will have significant sway over his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause. 
The drama between the Texans and their star quarterback has been brewing for some time. In fact, Schefter hears that the trade request was actually made weeks ago, though it’s been kept under wraps until now. The Texans were hoping to smooth things out, but it seems that their hiring of new head coach David Culley, has not warmed Watson up to Houston.
Watson is reportedly interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets. The Panthers have also been mentioned as a suitor, though his interest in Carolina is unclear. The Jets and Dolphins have plenty of draft picks to work with in a deal, and it appears that the Jets’ constant state of chaos does not bother him.
The Jets may be Watson’s No. 1 choice, thanks to their hiring of former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Watson pushed the Texans to hire Saleh, but they didn’t even consider him as a part of their widespread search. The Jets would be a natural fit, given their shaky evaluation of Sam Darnold. The Dolphins fit is a little less clear, since Tua Tagovailoa projects as their starter in 2021. In theory, the two teams could engineer a blockbuster for the ages that would send the Alabama star to Houston.
Watson is signed through 2025, thanks to his recent four-year extension. Worth $39MM annually, the contract is worth $177.54MM in total with nearly $111MM in guaranteed money.
Deshaun Watson Wants To Be Traded Regardless Of Who Head Coach Is
The Texans are seeking second interviews with Leslie Frazier and Eric Bieniemy for their head coaching vacancy, and both men would seem to be good bets to smooth things over with disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson. Frazier, who has previous HC experience, is seen as a strong leader and stabilizing influence, and his background as a defensive-minded coach would probably allow the team to keep Watson favorite Tim Kelly as OC. Meanwhile, Bieniemy was endorsed by Watson early on in the process and is widely regarded as a top offensive mind.
However, it appears that the situation is no longer salvageable. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Watson wants out of Houston and will not change his mind regardless of whom the team hires as its next HC (via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com on Twitter).
Assuming that’s true, that could obviously make the Texans’ job considerably less attractive. On the other hand, a Watson trade would net a bounty of much-needed draft picks, one of which could be used on a top rookie signal-caller. It does not presently appear as though Watson’s discontent is dissuading either Frazier or Bieniemy, as both men are said to be assembling potential staffs in case they should be hired. Though the loss of Watson would obviously sting, a power structure comprised of Frazier or Bieniemy as HC and Nick Caserio as GM has a lot of potential.
As of now, Watson — who would have to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal — is reportedly interested in joining either the Dolphins or Jets, and the Panthers have been mentioned as a potential suitor as well. Both AFC East clubs have ample draft capital to get a deal done, and some sources believe Watson prefers the Jets.
However, Matt Miller of TheDraftScout.com says Gang Green is not Watson’s preferred destination at this point (Twitter link). Still, it would not be surprising to see the Jets enter the bidding, especially since Woody Johnson is returning from his post as former president Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and will resume his role as principal owner with final say on all matters. Although Rich Cimini of ESPN.com says Johnson will presumably allow his football people make the decision, Johnson’s love of splashy acquisitions at quarterback could add another layer of intrigue to the Watson matter.
With Matthew Stafford also requesting a trade, it figures to be a fascinating offseason of quarterback rumors.
Deshaun Watson Eyeing Jets Over Dolphins?
As the Texans progress on their slow-moving head coaching search, Deshaun Watson‘s discontent with the franchise appears to remain. The quarterback is eyeing destinations for a potential trade out of Houston.
The Texans have received calls on Watson, whose unhappiness surfaced more than two weeks ago, but have not budged yet. However, multiple AFC East teams look to be in play for the quarterback whose contract contains a no-trade clause. Watson is interested in playing for the Dolphins or Jets, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports, but at this point would prefer a Jets deal.
Watson is believed to have told people this week he would rank the Jets over the Dolphins among destinations, due largely to the latter’s Robert Saleh hire. Watson wanted the Texans to include the former 49ers DC in their coach search, per Salguero. The Texans did not interview Saleh.
Both teams make sense as prospective Watson suitors. Each has two first-round picks this year, with both teams holding top-three selections. Both teams have former top-five QBs on the roster already, but Saleh stopped short of committing to Sam Darnold for 2021. Dolphins GM Chris Grier did name Tua Tagovailoa the team’s 2021 starter. This is not the first time the Dolphins have surfaced in prospective Watson trade talks, however. Tagovailoa would likely be a Texans target if the teams discussed Watson.
The Jets and Dolphins reside on the low end as far as skill-position talent goes, joining the Texans in that sector. Each team has a need at wide receiver. As of now, the Jets far outflank the Dolphins in cap space ahead of what could be a robust receiver market. Gang Green is projected to hold more than $60MM in cap room; Miami is projected to possess just more than $20MM.
It is believed Watson could pry three first-round picks in a trade, though a top-three pick headlining the package could change that equation. As of now, the Texans view Watson as their cornerstone player. Both Cal McNair and Nick Caserio have pledged the 25-year-old Pro Bowler will be back in Houston next season. For now, however, Watson remains a disgruntled employee. Considering the rare trade value he possesses, speculation on destinations will continue.
Teams Inquiring On Deshaun Watson, Texans Not Budging Yet
As the Deshaun Watson drama with the Texans continues to unfold, the league’s other 31 teams are surely paying close attention. There have been increasing reports that the two sides could be headed for divorce, as we heard over the weekend that many in Houston’s building believe Watson has played his last snap for the team.
We’re still in the very early stages, but it sounds like teams are beginning to circle in anticipation of a potential frenzy. Teams have already begun calling the Texans and inquiring about Watson, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (Twitter video link). As Rapoport cautions, the Texans still haven’t budged or shown a willingness to engage in talks yet, and he also notes that Watson still hasn’t formally requested a trade.
Interestingly, Rapoport says to “keep an eye on” the Panthers in the event that Watson becomes available. He highlights new owner David Tepper’s bold approach, as well as the failure of Teddy Bridgewater to establish himself as the franchise guy this season. That would be a huge splash from Matt Rhule, and Rapsheet says if it reaches the point where the Texans shop Watson then Carolina should not be discounted.
It’s not surprising that teams are already making exploratory calls, and if Houston really does decide to trade Watson it could take a while for things to get sorted out because of the size of the package that would need to be coming back.
If Watson were to be dealt, it would take multiple first-round picks and likely solid players as well, at a minimum. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more on this ever-evolving situation.
Latest On Deshaun Watson, Texans
Things could be coming to a head with Deshaun Watson and the Texans. After a couple of weeks of drama, there is now “a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization” that Watson “has played his last snap for the team,” Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
It felt impossible to believe when trade chatter about Watson first started, but it now seems like there’s a real chance Watson is dealt before the 2021 season. In case there was any doubt about the dysfunction within the building, Schefter said in a separate tweet that a source told him “it’s gone from the least desirable head coaching job (opening) to the most undesirable head coaching job in the NFL. That’s a fact. That’s how that job is now looked at by everybody.”
It’s a pretty grim state of affairs in Houston right now. It looks like Houston’s management, led by owner Cal McNair and recently hired GM Nick Caserio, could opt for a full-blown rebuild, trading Watson for a bounty of draft picks to restock the cupboard that was left bare by former coach/GM Bill O’Brien.
All of that being said, it’s still far from guaranteed that the team has given up on mending the relationship. One source of tension between the two sides was the team leaving Watson out of the search process for coach and GM after previously promising him input. There had been reports that Watson favored Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, but the team only opted to put in an interview request for Bieniemy recently, leading many to decry it as too little too late and merely an attempt to pacify Watson.
But Caserio has apparently done “thorough homework” on Bieniemy, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds that it’s “not an empty interview request by any stretch.” Fowler also calls Bieniemy “firmly in the mix” for the job, so it sounds like he’s got a legit shot. By the sound of Schefter’s tweet, if the Texans and Watson are headed for divorce, it might be hard for them to convince any top candidate to leave their respective coordinator post.
If Watson really does become available, there will be no shortage of suitors. It’d likely take a king’s ransom to pry him loose, so teams like the Jets and Dolphins with an abundance of draft capital would immediately become favorites. We’ll surely hear a lot more about this situation in the coming days and weeks, and we’ll keep you posted every step of the way.