The Saints will have stiff competition, but they likely won't be backing off any stiff demands in a Deshaun Watson trade negotiation.
They were interested in potentially acquiring the Texans star a year ago, said Pro Football Network reporter Aaron Wilson on WWL Radio's Sports Talk this week, and that hasn't changed for New Orleans this season.
“It’s a situation where the Saints are a very attractive potential destination," Wilson said, speaking with Kristian Garic and Mike Detillier. "I’ve had several sources say the Saints and Mickey Loomis are very determined to try to get this thing done, and so far everything has run smoothly."
Watson was set to meet with multiple potential suitors this week ahead of the official start of free agency on Wednesday. Those meetings could be vital with Watson holding a no-trade clause in his contract that essentially means he can choose his destination. It's a similar scenario to that of Russell Wilson, who was traded from the Seahawks to the Broncos earlier this month.
Other teams named have been the Panthers and Colts, though reports have indicated Watson would prefer the Saints to Carolina, and Indianapolis was blocked from such a meeting, likely due to being a division foe of Houston's.
“I don’t want to speak for him, but I would say the Saints have a very good chance," Wilson said. "You’ve probably noticed Michael Thomas and him liking each other’s tweets, things like that. Social media sometimes leaves some breadcrumbs. But it’s also one thing that a lot of sources around the league told me. Michael Thomas could be like his Deandre Hopkins, that big go-to guy and he could have the chemistry and the collaboration that he had with Deandre once again.”
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But the price tag, allegations and ongoing lawsuits add wrinkles to what would otherwise be a no-brainer addition for one of the most talented quarterbacks and players in the NFL. The going rate, Wilson said, will include three first-round draft picks, multiple second-rounders and additional players. Wilson named a pair of recent first-round Saints selections of Cesar Ruiz and Ryan Ramczyk as potential names that could be included.
If landed, it'd be a deal that even dwarfs the Seahawks' haul for Wilson, who was swapped for two first-rounders, two second-rounders, a 5th, QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant and DE Shelby Harris.
The Saints would also have to find a way to fit Watson under the salary cap and pay the remainder of the 4-year, $156 million deal he was signed to in 2020. Watson was eligible to play in 2021 but did not see the field as the court proceedings played out, of which a grand jury declined to indict him on. Watson will still face civil cases stemming from those allegations and could still see discipline from the NFL should he be deemed to have violated the player conduct policy.
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Listen to Wilson's full interview in the player embedded above, or click here.