The Deshaun Watson saga doesn’t figure to end anytime soon. So expect the rumors to keep rolling on. Right now it appears the 25-year old quarterback is headed for long standoff with the Houston Texans who seem unwilling to entertain the idea of trading him. They know full well what they stand to lose if they grant such a request. Their hope is by standing firm they might be able to repair the relationship and keep him.
Nobody close to the quarterback believes that will matter. Watson has made up his mind. He wants out and he’s willing to do whatever is necessary to make that a reality. Does that include sitting out the season? Yes, it does. Now it’s too early to project that far ahead. Houston may realize by next month they’re fighting a pointless battle and move to get the best possible trade they can. If that happens, it comes down to who can offer a good package and where Watson wants to go.
Remember he has a no-trade clause in his contract.
So he has some sway on the destination. Figuring out where that will end up being is the crazy part. Everybody claims to have sources indicating where he wants to go, doesn’t want to go, or wouldn’t mind going. The latest teams mentioned were the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos. That last one drew the attention of cornerback Chris Harris Jr.
He considered the Broncos idea insane. It made no sense. Why would Watson willingly insert himself into a division that already has Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, and Justin Herbert. The odds of him fighting his way through such a gauntlet to win a Super Bowl? Foolish.
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D watson don’t wanna come to the Afc west lol come on to the jungle https://t.co/0bZ6InhWM2
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) February 12, 2021
Just facts boy ain’t tryna compete with Herbert and Mahomes lol better stay AFC south
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) February 12, 2021
This is where things got a little interesting. Harris wasn’t done. He claimed to only be stating facts and then promptly listed four teams he actually has an interest in going to. The New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears.
lol y’all in fairy tale land . that boy tryna go to the saints , eagles , Jets , Bears 😭
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) February 12, 2021
The Deshaun Watson dreams shall remain alive for now
Now is Harris connected to Watson? That is hard to say. It’s known the Texans had a ton of interest in the All-Pro cornerback a few years ago before he ended up signing with the Chargers. Did Watson play a role in that? There is no way to know. The quarterback has a large group of friends in the player community so it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to think he and Harris are acquainted.
Either way, players are well-connected. They talk. For him to mention those teams specifically by name is quite interesting. New Orleans just saw Drew Brees retire and Sean Payton needs a new quarterback. He’s one of the best offensive coaches in the league. The NFC South is also not exactly swimming with young QB talent. Tom Brady turns 44 this year. Matt Ryan is 36. Watson could own that division within a couple of years.
The Eagles?
Don’t dismiss them. Houston was rumored to have poked around Carson Wentz this past week. It isn’t a stretch to think Philadelphia would package him, the #6 pick, and a number of other high choices to grab Watson. As for the Jets? They have the most ammunition of any team. Multiple 1st round picks including #2 overall and a young QB in Sam Darnold to include too. They also employ a head coach in Robert Saleh that Deshaun Watson reportedly wanted Houston to interview.
As for the Bears, it isn’t totally crazy he’d be interested. His childhood idol Michael Vick stated that would be one of the teams he would recommend the QB go to. They have a defense he can lean on and a coaching staff loaded with quarterback specialists. He’d have a couple of nice weapons in Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. Give him some protection and away we go. It’s a fun scenario to think about. Likely? Probably not.
Still, what Harris said can’t be ignored.