The news remains rampant 24 hours later and doesn’t figure to slow down for months to come. Deshaun Watson isn’t happy with the Houston Texans. He was promised input on the hiring of the next GM and head coach for the organization. Something he felt he earned by being by far the best thing that franchise has in terms of star power. Then the organization basically ignored him and hired Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio as GM. On top of that, they didn’t even bother to interview Watson’s top choice for head coach in Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
While plenty of insiders are saying there is no chance in hell Watson gets traded, the speculation isn’t stopping. If he forces the Texans’ hands, they may have no choice. Making him available would no doubt start an avalanche of teams willing to make a trade for the services of the 25-year old Pro Bowler. Quarterbacks of his caliber don’t become available every day.
Can the Chicago Bears pull it off? If so, what might it cost them?
Given the quality of the player involved, his age, and the fact so many teams will probably want him the easy answer is “a lot.” Ironically, the closest thing people have to go on with this is the trade for Jay Cutler back in 2009. Like Watson, he was in his prime and coming off the best season of his career, making the Pro Bowl. In exchange for him and a 5th round pick, the Bears gave up two 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick, and quarterback Kyle Orton.
That is the foundation teams would be working with. If we’re being honest? Watson is going to cost more. Insider Benjamin Allbright said it could be around three 1st round picks, three 2nd round picks, and a player. That is going up to Herschel Walker territory. The odds are Houston won’t be able to quite get that but it’s not far off from reality. So what sort of package can the Bears put together that might get their attention?
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Getting Deshaun Watson is a challenge for the Bears
A big reason why? Their 1st round pick this year won’t be in the top 10. The Texans likely would prefer to grab a new quarterback right away if forced to give up Watson. Having a pick in the 20s won’t be appealing at first glance. So the Bears will really have to make their sales pitch a strong one. What might it look like? Something like this.
- 1st round pick in 2021
- 1st round pick in 2022
- 1st round pick in 2023
- 2nd round pick in 2021
- 3rd round pick in 2022
- ILB Roquan Smith
Remember that Houston has one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They have no high draft choices to rebuild it even they did keep Watson. Roquan Smith is in the running to be an All-Pro this year after an outstanding 2020 season. He’s only 23-years old and still on his rookie contract. He is somebody the Texans can build around on that side of the ball. In addition, they also get their required three 1st rounders and two extra 3rds for good measure.
It may not be an ideal offer but it certainly isn’t one to sneeze at.
Something to remember as well? Deshaun Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract. He would have to waive it in order to be dealt. That gives him the ability to somewhat control where he ends up going. Maybe he sees Chicago as a desirable destination. A big market city with a predominantly African-American population? He’d be treated as a hero from the moment he stepped on the field. It’s not likely but it is something to think about in the months to come.