Where will Deshaun Watson play in 2022 -- if he suits up at all?
The question looms large after the three-time Pro Bowler sat out the entirety of last season amid allegations of sexual assault by some 20-plus women in a series of civil lawsuits.
The lawsuits and a concurrent criminal investigation by the Houston Police Department remain unresolved, but if Watson, 26, is cleared, it seems likely he won't be playing for the Houston Texans, the team that drafted him 12th overall in 2017.
According to a new report, Watson has set his sights on the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as two potential landing spots in the event that he's back on the gridiron for the 2022 season.
The Bucs and Vikings are "among the teams on Watson's radar," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported in an Insider article published on Wednesday.
In evaluating potential suitors, Watson is seeking "the right blend" of offensive system, head coach, overall team talent, and "most importantly" a chance to win, Fowler added.
Last season, the Miami Dolphins were reported to be Watson's preferred destination, with rumors swirling around the November trade deadline that a move could be imminent.
No deal materialized, however, and the Dolphins would now seem to be out of the running after new head coach Mike McDaniel offered up something of a vote of confidence for incumbent Tua Tagovailoa.
As well, Miami owner Stephen Ross is embroiled in a league investigation after former head coach Brian Flores alleged in his landmark racial discrimination lawsuit that Ross had offered to pay him to tank games in hopes of securing higher draft picks. So, it seems unlikely Ross would pursue a player in Watson who is perceived to come with baggage.
The path to the starting job would seem to be clearer in Tampa, where the Bucs are seeking a replacement for recently retired league legend Tom Brady. Their in-house options at present include 2021 second-round selection Kyle Trask and veteran journeyman Blaine Gabbert.
How Watson would fit in Minnesota is less clear, with veteran starter Kirk Cousins under contract for next season with a base salary of $35M, and a dead-cap hit of $45M, per Spotrac.
Watson had requested a trade from the Texans early in 2021, just several weeks before the allegations first surfaced.
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