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Deshaun Watson has gone from a no-trade clause to a commercial demand.
Five months after signing a four-year, $ 156 million extension, Watson reportedly asked the Texans for a trade.
The Texans can play “Chicken” with Watson and see if their quarterback is up to hold on and lose big bucks – or throw in a wide net and demand a ransom from the King (three first-round draft picks? ) In return. Watson must approve the destination because of its no-trade clause, but it would be against his best interest to limit the Texans’ early leverage with a pre-approved roster, league sources told the Post.
Here are five business destinations, based on those conversations, that make sense, along with some factors that could grease the wheels or be a sticking point in any situation. It remains possible that the Texans and Watson will work on their differences ahead of the season, but the end of April date for the 2021 NFL Draft serves as an unofficial deadline for resolution.
1. New York Jets
Jamal Adams could have done the Jets a huge favor with his trade demand.
The two additional first-round picks acquired from the Seahawks offer the luxury of trading high picks to the Texans, while still retaining the assets to improve the team around Watson.
Start an offer with the No.2 pick. The Texans might see this as a place to draft Watson’s successor in a package with defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and other draft picks. Or the Texans could take Sam Darnold back, use Pick # 2 to tackle another premium position, and add more to the multitude of picks. If the Texans don’t take Darnold, the Jets can exchange him separately to recover the capital.
Given Watson’s issues with the culture the Texan property is promoting, owner Woody Johnson’s return – and his thirst for star power at the quarterback – is a variable. Johnson has denied claims that he made racist remarks while serving as US Ambassador to the UK in the Trump administration.
2. Miami Dolphins
Unlike others, the Dolphins can offer two premium assets – second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (No.5 pick in the 2020 Draft) and No.3 pick in 2021 (originally owned by the Texans) – without subtracting from the base of a 10-win Team improvement.
Future early players are commodities, but it’s hard to predict whether a pick will be in the top five or the 20-30s – a huge difference in value – especially if this team has Watson winning games and slipping in. order next year.
Miami coach Brian Flores made the NFL’s most powerful statement condemning racial inequalities, so that the socially aware and charitable Watson and Flores could find immediate common ground outside of football.
3. New England Patriots
Despite having many veteran quarterbacks available, there is some belief that Bill Belichick’s preference is to train a youngster with a salary cap contract.
As one league source summed it up: After years of convincing Tom Brady to accept less money for the good of the team, facing Watson’s future successes (between $ 32 million and $ 42.4 million). million dollars each season from 2022-25) and again sharing the credit for any return to dominance with his star passer would be a stunning reversal for Belichick.
It would be very different from the Patriots to speed up the ‘process’ by subtracting choices – the more hits on the apple, the better – and there isn’t much else to offer as a prospect. first class. Negotiations are usually straightforward when the parties know each other as well as Belichick knows the Texan chefs formerly in his employ: Nick Casiero and Jack Easterby.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Reuniting Belichick-endorsed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with Caserio makes sense for both teams. He would have two years of control for the Texans at caps of $ 26.4 million and $ 27 million, respectively, but would cost only $ 2.8 million in dead space for the 49ers.
But Garoppolo cannot be the centerpiece of a deal. Start with choice # 12 in 2021 and continue. Or tap into young playmakers like wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. CEO John Lynch has daring in his blood.
5. Carolina Panthers
Watson isn’t returning home to Atlanta given the Falcons’ constraints, but how about returning to Clemson territory?
The Panthers could add second-year defensive star Jeremy Chinn to a set of picks starting with No.8 in 2021. Unless the Texans take Teddy Bridgewater back as a placeholder, he’s a sunk cost (dead cap of 20 million dollars) in 2021.
Owner David Tepper didn’t spend a small fortune on coach Matt Rhule to waste time being conservative on the quarterfinals.
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