Deshaun Watson being traded out of Houston is looking more and more like a reality every day. The 25-year old star quarterback is livid with Texans ownership. He’s tired of being jerked around and just wants to go somewhere else according to multiple reports. Obviously, this knowledge has enflamed the imaginations of Chicago Bears fans. Could you imagine if they actually…?
It is hardly a question of whether GM Ryan Pace will be interested in acquiring Watson. It’s a chance to rectify the massive mistake he made four years ago and possibly save his job in the process. The problem isn’t desire. It’s resources. Quite frankly the Bears don’t have the draft picks necessary to entice Houston into any sort of deal. Only by the QB himself pushing for a trade to Chicago would that change.
It is easy enough to guess that won’t be happening.
While this is a depressing dose of reality for Bears fans, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that Watson ends up going elsewhere. In fact, him going to a new team may end up still helping them in their own search for a new quarterback. Especially given the teams currently favored to secure his services. How is that possible? Here is an explanation.
Deshaun Watson could still aid the Bears QB search
Example #1 – San Francisco 49ers
Watson was spotted wearing a Joe Montana jersey on Instagram recently. Projecting him to the 49ers is easy to think about. They have a great defense and one of the best offensive coaches in the NFL in Kyle Shanahan. They’re built to win now. That landing spot would be great for him to drop into. Were it to happen, the path ahead becomes obvious.
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Jimmy Garoppolo will be gone. San Francisco may try trading him but the odds are pretty good that with Watson on board and his incoming contract that teams will know the 49ers can’t afford to keep both. So the odds instantly go up of Garoppolo being cut. Now suddenly a viable veteran starter becomes available.
Somebody with roots in Chicago who is 29 and took his team to the Super Bowl back in 2019. His cost wouldn’t be exorbitant and the Bears would be able to retain all of their draft picks with which they can focus on improving the offense around him. It’s not a premium scenario but it’s a step in the right direction.
Example #2 – New York Jets or Miami Dolphins
Most experts agree that these are the two teams to watch in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. Why? Two key reasons. Both have multiple picks in the 1st round including one in the top 5 (Jets at #2 and Dolphins at #3). Each also has a young, talented quarterback they can send back in a trade. Sam Darnold for the Jets and Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins.
If either of those ends up happening, it would lead to a noticeable shift in the upcoming NFL draft. With Houston slotted into #2 or #3 and a young QB already in place, it decreases the odds of a quarterback going that early. Here’s one possibility.
- Jaguars take QB Trevor Lawrence #1 overall
- Bengals trade up to #2 with Jets and take OT Penei Sewell
- Texans trade Watson to Miami and take WR Devonta Smith #3
- Falcons take EDGE Greg Rousseau #4
- Jets take WR Ja’Marr Chase #5
Just like that two of the top QBs in the class, Ohio State’s Justin Fields and BYU’s Zach Wilson have slipped into the bottom half of the top 10. This is likely the range where Pace would be looking to move up if one of them happened to fall. Philadelphia at #6 has Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts. Detroit has #7 has Matthew Stafford. The first big threat to take a QB in that range is Carolina at #8.
It would be expensive but at least land them a top talent in the class.
Deshaun Watson coming to Chicago would be a dream come true but the logistics just aren’t there. Too many other teams can make better offers. Besides, it’s unlikely the QB would want to come to the Bears anyway given the GM and head coach are both on the hot seat. That said, there are still ways the team could potentially take advantage of Watson leaving Houston. It will depend on where he ends up going.