Deshaun Watson's future with the Texans is getting murkier by the day.
Watson, 25, is a top 10 and arguably top 5 quarterback in the league who has yet to enter the prime of his career. If he were indeed to become available, he would be the most attractive quarterback teams would want to get their hands on.
Of course, the Texans are not just going to give someone like that away. NFL scribe Benjamin Allbright reported that “three firsts, three seconds and a player” might get the conversation started.
Yet, if Watson is unhappy and wants to be traded -- he does have a no-trade clause -- that may force the Texans’ hands a little.
Watson’s future will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks and months and these are some of the potential teams that could pursue the quarterback.
Miami Dolphins
Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract, so if he wants out he may be able to force his hand to the destination he wants. According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, that may be the Miami Dolphins.
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If Watson were to force a trade to the Dolphins, it would likely mean Tua Tagovailoa and additional compensation be sent to the Texans. Tagovailoa did not necessarily blow anyone out of the water his rookie year and it is not unfathomable to think the Dolphins could part ways with him, especially for someone like Watson. Miami could also arguably put together the best package for Houston. The Dolphins have two first rounders and two second rounders to dangle in trades -- both of the extra picks coincidentally came from the Laremy Tunsil trade with the Texans, too.
New York Jets
If Watson has his say, the Jets probably are not at the top of his list. They have a long list of areas to address beyond quarterback but the Jets are probably the one team that could even come close to the Texans’ reported demands. They have two first-round picks this year, including the No. 2 overall pick, and two 2022 first-round picks. In total, they have 19 picks over the next two years.
The No. 2 overall pick could be attractive to the Texans, too, because they don’t pick until the third round – 67th overall – and the second pick would put them in position to draft Ohio State’s Justin Fields as a potential Watson replacement.
As for the Jets, they would have to move on from Sam Darnold – which could net them more picks to help compensate from the loss of picks for a potential Watson deal.
New England Patriots
Imagine a world where Deshaun Watson teams up with Bill Belichick? It would immediately put the Patriots right back into the conversation as an AFC playoff contender and suddenly, life after Tom Brady doesn’t seem too bad.
The Patriots have cap space to work with and bring on a contract like Watsons, but like pretty much any team, finding the assets to get him may be difficult. The Patriots do not have an excess amount of draft picks to trade for Watson and already had to forfeit a third rounder for 2021. If the Patriots could somehow acquire more assets, they would be more than an attractive team for Watson to join.
Washington Football Team
The Washington Football Team let the world know they have a playoff-caliber defense, but what they don’t have is a franchise quarterback. WFT cycled through four different quarterbacks this season, with Alex Smith ultimately settling in the starting role after an incredible journey from a devastating leg injury.
But Smith is 36 years old and the team waived 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins after a tumultuous tenure, leaving them a void at quarterback. Watson would be an ideal fit for a team that is ready to take the next step in the NFC.
But, like the Patriots, the Football Team does not have an excess of draft picks to dangle in a potential trade offer.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have a dilemma about what to do with Mitchell Trubisky this offseason – and a lot of that may hinge on who the team’s general manager is once the postseason is over. Should the Bears fire Ryan Pace, a new GM could come in and want to address the quarterback situation, perhaps with someone else. Suddenly, the Bears could find themselves in play for someone like Watson.
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The Bears are a tad over the cap, so they would need to shed some salary to fit Watson’s contract. They also don’t have any extra picks to unload, either, so a trade would not come easy in Chicago.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers continue to say that Jimmy Garoppolo is their quarterback moving forward, but many around the league are not buying it. The 29-year-old has never reached his ceiling and has been plagued by injuries.
San Francisco could deal Garoppolo for some extra picks they could potentially use in another trade to get someone like Watson, but then the question becomes what kind of return could they get for Garoppolo? The Niners got him for a second rounder, but his value may have dropped below that.
Still, the Niners are just a year removed from the Super Bowl and have cap space to work with this offseason. A top tier quarterback could be the missing piece of the puzzle to get them back in the postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers/New Orleans Saints
The Steelers and Saints are grouped together because they are both north of the salary cap and both have aging Hall of Fame quarterbacks who could retire at the end of the season. In fact, it seems like a near certainty that Brees will hang it up after this year (although many thought the same last year).
The Saints are still built as a Super Bowl contender and Watson could immediately fit in and pick up right where things left off. The same rings true for the Steelers should Roethlisberger retire, who is also under contract for just one more year.
Of course, the common denominator in all this is whether or not either team has the assets and cap room to pull off a trade for Watson. They’re no different than anyone not named the Jets or Dolphins, but they do have depth and talent where perhaps adding in a player or two could get the deal done in addition to picks. It may be a longshot, but they would be perfect scenarios for Watson.
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