Leading reporter calls on Texans to field offers for Deshaun Watson
By Dean Jones
A leading reporter for the Houston Texans has called on the team to start fielding trade calls for star quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Deshaun Watson appears intent on digging in his heels and force ing a trade from the Houston Texans this offseason. The Carolina Panthers have been strongly linked with the franchise quarterback and are reportedly willing to “pay any price” to land the former first-round pick. But his current team has been less than willing to entertain any offers at this juncture.
Watson recently met with new Texans head coach David Culley, where he reaffirmed his desire for a fresh start. This would be the latest big name to depart a franchise that is in clear disarray thanks in no small part to the methods of owner Cal McNair, but this is a situation that could drag on at a substantial financial expense to the player.
According to a recent report from Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, Watson is willing to sacrifice $3 million in team fines for holding out to get his wish. This would involve sitting out the entire preseason and possibly longer, which would be more than an unwelcome distraction for Culley and new general manager Nick Caserio.
One man with his finger of the pulse more than most when it comes to the Texans is John McClain, a widely respected figure with the Houston Chronicle who has been at the forefront of reporting on this ongoing saga.
John McClain calls on Texans to field Deshaun Watson trade calls.
His latest column called on Houston to start fielding trade calls for Watson, with the critical period of free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft fast approaching that would undoubtedly see teams go in a completely different direction.
"The Texans appear willing to let Watson sit to force his hand and try to make him play. That’s not a healthy way of doing business. Yes, Watson is under contract through 2025 because of the $156 million extension he signed six months ago, but teams cut players under contract all the time. Now Watson wants to cut the Texans and start over with a new team. And that’s what the Texans should do."
If this situation actually came to pass, then it wouldn’t take long for the Panthers to get on the phone. They are making no secret of their desire to move on from Teddy Bridgewater after his inconsistent level of production under center. But whether they’d have enough capital without giving up the farm is another matter entirely.
Watson also has a no-trade clause that shouldn’t be overlooked. The former Clemson sensation is reportedly keen on moving back to an area where he shone in college. But teams like the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins could put together a more attractive potential deal despite them both residing in the AFC.
McClain didn’t give much hope of Carolina securing Watson, which was based primarily on Bridgewater being a substantial downgrade and one that wouldn’t exactly be an enticing piece to the puzzle.
"The Texans wouldn’t be dumb enough to replace Watson with Teddy Bridgewater."
There are going to be plenty of twists and turns in this sage to come. Carolina’s ambitious owner David Tepper will give the green light on whatever financial costs come with such a move. But the onus will be on new general manager Scott Fitterer to negotiate the right sort of package if Watson does list the Panthers as a potential destination he’d sign off on.
The benefits of acquiring Watson are there for all to see. Whether the Panthers could pull it off is another matter entirely.