Sean Salisbury played quarterback for 10 years in the NFL and CFL, and currently lives down in Houston, so he’s well versed in what’s going in with the Deshaun Watson situation.
In a chat with Zach Gelb on WFAN Sunday, just hours before the conference championship games kicked off, Salisbury put the ratio at “about 65/35” that Watson is still the QB for the Texans come the 2021 season, and for good reason.
“Other than Patrick Mahomes, what QB would you want to build your franchise around for the next seven to ten years?” Salisbury asked Gelb. “He’s 25, and he put up numbers that looked like they came from a 12-4 team…he is a guy who makes your franchise go, he’s a special winner and a great kid.”
That said, Salisbury’s exact words were that in dealing with the Houston brass, you
“There’s not much common sense; talk to someone with some sanity, I would say, ‘of course you’re not going to ship Watson,’” Salisbury said, “but knowing what I do about ownership, I’ll say it’s 65/35 he stays – and I think the percentage rises every day.”
The Dolphins, 49ers, and Jets seem to be the biggest suitors – depending on how Watson feels about them, and whether or not he would waive his no-trade clause – but if it’s between those three, the quarterback they can get back makes that an easy decision for Houston.
“I understand the Tuas, and the Garoppolos…but just based on the quarterback, I would still take Sam Darnold because I think with the right coaching, he can be a player,” Salisbury said. “Adam Gase didn’t coach him right, period, and I believe Robert Saleh and Mike LaFleur would.”
That said, Salisbury still wouldn’t do it.
“None of those guys are in Watson’s class today, and I still wouldn’t do it,” Salisbury said. “If I was the Texans, why would I do it and hope Sam works out, or have to go out and draft another guy I want to be Watson. The key is going to be which coach they get, and if that coach can smooth this over.”
But if you’re the Jets?
“If I was the Jets and they said three of four first-rounders, Darnold, and another second-rounder,” Salisbury noted, “I’d say the deal will be done in about 20 minutes. If Deshaun is cool with it, have him take that no-trade clause off, and we’ll see you in New York.”
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