I’m about to advocate for something that may seem crazy on the surface, but I can’t help but thinking it over and over again as Deshaun Watson-Eagles rumors continue to resurface: Howie Roseman should pause any pursuit that’s ongoing or will soon pick up for the Texans star.
Yes, I realize what I’m saying. I am suggesting that the Eagles pause the pursuit of one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks. It could cost them landing a star at the most important position in sports. Yet I truly believe it’s the right approach, and the one the Eagles need to consider before making a franchise-altering decision.
Let’s start with the obvious and unavoidable: Watson has over 20 civil lawsuits against him, all stemming from women who claim sexual misconduct. If you haven’t read the details, I suggest you take some time to do just that. It’s disturbing. It’s uncomfortable. No, Watson hasn’t been charged criminally. He almost surely isn’t headed for jail time. But there’s something clearly off about this individual that would instantaneously become the face of the Eagles. We may have to root for this player one day. I’m less-than-excited for that day.
If (or when) Watson settles his lawsuits and is eligible to return to the NFL, he’s surely to be moved. According to WIP’s Howard Eskin, the Eagles are the overwhelming favorites to be the team to take the chance on him as soon as that type of blockbuster goes through. Perhaps even as soon as next month, despite a possible looming suspension to start the season.
Again, my “hit the pause button” signal goes off.
The Eagles are trying to establish a new culture, with a new head coach. Trading away draft picks and Jalen Hurts (I assume the Texans would want a young quarterback back in any deal, and one from Houston, Texas sure could be a positive public relations spin for a franchise that needs it) to effectively punt the 2021 season isn’t setting up a culture. It’s putting one (suspended) player above an entire season. New head coach Nick Sirianni has spent an entire offseason preaching competition. His front office could undermine competing this coming season for the hope of Watson’s upside and future.
Then there’s the other elephant in the room: Is Watson worth it? His individual play is, sure. But would the Eagles actually be able to build a title team around Watson and his $40M salary in 2022 and beyond? Before reflectively screaming “yes!” or typing something witty on social media about “Watson > Hurts,” take a minute to consider this hypothetical for the 2022 season: Would you rather pay Hurts $2M and have up to three first round picks in the next draft, or pay Watson $40M and have one (or perhaps zero) of those picks?
If you think the answer to that question is easy, you’re either lying to yourself, have made up your mind already about Hurts not being good enough to build a winning team around, or forgotten how the Eagles built (around a QB on a rookie deal) the one truly great team (2017) of the Roseman era.
I’m a Hurts fan. You know that by now. I don’t think he’s close to as good as Watson, and likely will never be. But I believe he can be a good NFL quarterback, from the Lamar Jackson mold. His value will come from running the ball. He’ll improve as a passer. His leadership will be a boon to any team he’s a part of. I believe he can be a winner for the Eagles.
But I’ll admit not knowing how good he’ll be in 2022 or how long he’ll take to get to his ceiling. While it’s possible this season is poor and the Eagles’ patience costs them Watson, this reality also exists: Hurts makes a leap, is better than many believe, and goes into 2022 as one of the 16-20 best quarterbacks in the sport on a dirt-cheap salary. Is Watson, fewer picks and avenues to fix the roster around his hefty salary really the best path to making the Eagles a dominant team? Maybe, but it’s not a slam dunk.
Watson is staring down a suspension. There’s no guarantee his off-the-field behavior will suddenly change when he’s forced to write a check to his accusers. He'll be on thin ice the rest of his pro career. He’s expensive, and hasn’t won anything with a top-heavy team of high-priced stars since coming into the NFL. Acquiring him and making him the face of the franchise has been talked up by some fans as a no-brainer. I disagree with that notion. There is a major risk to this move.
I’d rather take the other risk, and travel a different path.
Pass on Watson now. See how his situation plays out. Give Hurts 2021 to show what he can be. Reassess the position and asset allocation when next offseason arrives. Maybe Watson will be off the board. Maybe Hurts shows he can be the guy. Maybe a quarterback emerges in the NFL Draft, giving the Eagles another shot at adding to the factory and re-setting the salary cap once more.
The Eagles made a mistake giving up on a leader for a physically gifted quarterback a few years ago. It’s been painful undoing that decision. Last time, we weren’t talking about legal cases and upsetting accusations as the backdrop for debate. This time, even more is at stake. Roseman can’t afford to screw it up.
Be patient. Give Hurts a chance. Roseman shouldn’t desperately throw away the first season under a new head coach while falling over himself for another quarterback. It might be worth it, but it also might be the move that finally gets him fired. No thanks on Watson, for now. I need more information first, and am looking forward to watching a young, likable quarterback grow.
Let the factory breathe, Eagles.