With their training camp less than 24 hours away, the Texans are set to navigate a complex situation with their star quarterback. Deshaun Watson is expected to show for Houston’s Tuesday workout, but a criminal investigation and trade rumblings engulf the Pro Bowl passer.
Texans brass spent months denying Watson was available, but Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report they are now willing to listen to offers for him (video link). Despite Watson’s legal entanglement, the Texans are asking for a historic return. They want three first-round picks and change for the 25-year-old standout, Pelissero notes.
The Texans and Watson met Monday, and while the summit was cordial, Rapoport indicates the fifth-year QB reaffirmed his trade stance. Under normal circumstances, Watson would bring back a bounty for the Texans and provide plenty of ammo to ignite their rebuild. Teams like the Broncos, Eagles, Panthers and Dolphins and perhaps select others loom as prospective suitors, and certain interested franchises have spent time examining Watson’s legal situation, per NFL.com. Watson has a no-trade clause. He was mentioned as interested in the Broncos, Dolphins and 49ers this offseason, but the talented quarterback likely has hurdles to clear before he gets his wish to leave Houston.
Watson’s legal drama clouds the trade environment, and the Houston Police Department’s investigation into his alleged sexual assault and sexual misconduct has seen some developments. Ten women have now spoken to police in this investigation, according to defense attorney Rusty Hardin (via ESPN.com’s John Barr). Eight of those accusers are part of the 22-woman contingent who have filed civil suit against Watson. Nearly half of the 22 women involved in the civil matter have spoken with the NFL, per Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing them. No depositions have been scheduled, and, further complicating this investigation, Watson is not set to be deposed in the civil suit until February 2022.
Hardin’s team has cooperated with this investigation, but the NFL has yet to interview Watson. This would represent a key step before a Watson placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt list occurs. As of now, however, such a move does not appear to be on the front-burner. Although that could certainly change if the criminal investigation gains more steam, the Texans are now set to have a quarterback in camp entangled in a multifront legal battle and one who has no interest in playing for them again.
3 first rounders for a dude who could spend quite a bit of his life in jail?
I mean the jets still exist so I guess there’s hope…..
There’s no way he goes to jail
Carlos15 –
Based on what? Where did you get your law degree?
Based on the fact it’s a Civil case and not a Criminal case. Civil case is all about money. Not to take away from the victims but I’m surprised he isn’t being charged criminally with this many accusers. He should go to jail if found guilty but being a Civil case, he wouldn’t.
Did you not read the headline or actual article above? While there are Civil complaints, this now involves a Criminal investigation.
Plus nearly half of 22 women from civil suit have talked to police. Police don’t usually get involved in civil cases unless there are possible criminal charges.
He misses at best 4 games and worse case 15 years. I am saying that from his standpoint. If he did this kind of thing he needs to get max penalty.
Too many guys like this get away with this because of money and name. If guilty throw the book at him and divide up what money he has between the victims. Fans will say it is too harsh what is he supposed live on when he gets out? Frankly I could care less. He made his bed now learn to live with the consequences of your choices.
How many games did Big Ben for no charges but an allegation from that 1 college girl? Will Roger multiply the sanctions he gave Ben by how many cases this guy has?
Because he’ll pull a Kobe and pay off his victims?
Is that a Kobe? When he got busted he immediately claimed it was Shaq’s MO to pay off the girls to go away. Funny how he threw Shaq under the bus and then wondered why their relationship was rocky.
How could any team realistically trade for this guy , I’d become a fan of my teams biggest rival if they did
Typical Texans could of traded him for a Kings Ransom before all of this started. How can anyone support that team is beyond me
Only reason he was being considered to being dealt was because this clown pissed and moaned about not being more involved in them hiring. He single handedly worked his way out of town and then even quicker tanked his value with his off the field antics. But yeah, let’s blame the team here for it all happening so quickly.
Because the owners lied to him about who his couch was going to be and how involved he would be about the new coach. Plus comments like “we don’t let the inmates run the asylum.” It was enough for Watson to say he’s had enough.
Seriously, he seem like an ego maniac…why would they involve him , I’m sure there are other things he’s done that we don’t know about that caused them to keep him away from adult conversations and they were hoping he could just shut up and play … he clearly couldn’t do that either
Exactly. One of 53 guys on the roster. While a very good player, who appointed him the consultant? Shame on the owner for making a promise he should have not made. Makes you wonder if this genius was trying to get out of town anyway knowing these complaints were coming and not realizing with the magnitude of them they would follow him.
Why? For the same reason the Packers were forced to put up with Rodgers BS. He’s a franchise level talent that they could’ve potentially built a winner around. Of course, that was before all the legal issues. And Rodgers has none of those entanglements. But just like the Packers, they failed to communicate with their OB. GB didn’t bother to give Rodgers a heads up before drafting Love and Houston traded Watson’s fav target and best WR in the league with no notice. That’s just dumb.
Both are wrong, and no different than Brady whining each time an heir apparent was brought in. But those guys have been doing it far longer than a guy just a few years in the league and trying to play junior GM.
As long as we have beer and morons in Houston, they’ll have fans.
Yeah, and I’m listening to offers from all super models who would like to date me. It’s probably safe to assume that I, like the Texans, will be in for some disappointment.
When can the courts and lawyers figure this stuff out!?
Oh, are they willing to trade him now? You don’t say…
I keep hearing the Eagles are the leaders fior getting Watson. As an Eagles fan I don’t want him and his baggage. I’d rather try Hurts for a year then if he’s not the answer package their top three picks next year for someone who isn’t being accused of sexual misconduct by over twenty women.
Yup!
It really sucks for Watson, if he didn’t do anything. It very well could just be a money grab from an ambitious lawyer, and 20 willing women looking for a payday…
Nothing has even been proven, other than the man clearly likes him a massage..lol Seriously though, can we at least get the facts before damming an individual. Then, if he is found guilty, let your judgments and remarks fly..
Typically where there is smoke, there is fire, but I’m beyond tired of this country becoming a guilty until proven innocent system and society..
Innocent until proven guilty is a thing for the US Court system. Society has every right to think freely and consider someone guilty of something regardless of what our courts say. And beyond that right, our courts have proven to be quite fallible over the years. I mean, is OJ innocent? He was not ‘proven guilty’, so are we not allowed to call him a murderer?
Further, how many times have athletes been falsely accused of something just for a pay day? The answer is almost never. Pay days occur, but as a result of a *false* accusation? And from 20+ women? Against the extreme odds of 20+ colluding and lying on a major stage to shake down one of the most famous players in the league, you still think ‘it very well could just be a money grab’? Like, how?
Maybe the Astros can acquire Watson before the trade deadline and hide him in the bullpen.
How long until he gets caught doing a David Cone out in the bullpen?
That’s why the hiding part is important.
Based purely on talent and age, he’s worth 3 firsts easily. However, given the accusations surrounding him, a single first would be an awful lot to give up. I just don’t see how any franchise brings him in and justifies giving up what Houston wants, and then navigates the PR nightmare on top. If you’re the acquiring GM you’re essentially wagering your career on this. It’s just really hard to see a deal getting done, imo.
And you have to weigh the possible criminal charges, possible NFL suspension, PR backlash and then the mental toll it will have on him once he navigates the civil cases as well. That said, good luck with all of that, and hope my favorite team doesn’t go anywhere near him.
Once he agrees to the $ to pay off the accusers which we were already told there is the parameters of a deal in place, then it’s up to the NFL and their fine/suspension.
The chances of the potential criminal investigation going anywhere is pretty weak. It sounds like for most of the women it was consensual and fir the ones that were not, it doesn’t appear it was forced. As pathetic as it is for DW, it’s not rape, therefore, I think this thing will go away after he pays X. But NFL fans will never forget so Dashawn will always hear the creep comments. If he stays clean and plays well, over time people will forget. He needs to publicly apologize when this is over.
The NFL is clearly trying to help Watson get out of town – as he’s worth more to them if he is a happy star on another team than a disgruntled hold-out in Houston.
Given the charges against him Watson shouldn’t be on the commissioner’s list in any event, he should be on the suspended list – like Elliot, and Roethlisberger.
“Happy star”…I see what you did there with the happy ending accusations.
There’s another team in Texas that’s been in need of a QB. They haven’t had a decent one since Paul Crewe