Trapped in a historically unusual position, the Texans have been receiving calls on their embattled and disgruntled quarterback. And, after coming off its no-trade stance last month, the team may be backtracking on the Deshaun Watson front for the time being.
The Texans are not returning teams’ calls on Watson, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer (video link). This news comes barely a week after Houston opened the door to a Watson trade. Unreturned calls could well be the product of Watson’s legal situation, which has diminished the three-time Pro Bowler’s value. Teams are almost certainly not willing to meet Houston’s lofty asking price — five high draft picks and quality players — while the 25-year-old passer is embroiled in his present legal situation.
The team has not softened its asking price on Watson, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, despite an ongoing legal investigation into numerous allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. The Houston PD’s investigation, the 22 civil suits and the NFL’s inaction here has complicated the QB’s status. As of now, Watson is not practicing with the Texans. He is believed to be dealing with calf and ankle tightness, according to Sports Talk 790’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).
Furthermore, the Texans may not be ready to close the book on Watson suiting up for them again. The team believes Watson will end up wanting to play in Houston again this season, Glazer adds, though the veteran reporter does not seem to believe the fifth-year QB will back down. Watson’s desire to be traded surfaced in January, and after he and the team discussed this stance in July, it appeared the sides were on the same page regarding a separation. The Texans signed Tyrod Taylor and drafted Davis Mills in the third round. Like just about everything Watson-related, this may be murky as well.
It would be quite strange if Watson suited up for the Texans again, and the notion of the QB playing in 2021 while multiple investigations ensue would make for an awkward start to the season. A team that would even come close to meeting the Texans’ asking price would want clarity on Watson’s status, which would likely require the NFL to intervene. Watson landing on the commissioner’s exempt list would pause trade talks but inject some stability into this situation. While that may well need to occur, the league is merely monitoring this situation as of now.
The Panthers are monitoring the Watson saga, too, and Glazer adds that “several teams” have contacted the Texans regarding their four-year starter. Under normal circumstances, the Texans could collect a monster trade haul that would allow Nick Caserio and Co. to begin a rebuild in earnest. It just seems highly unlikely any team would meet Houston’s asking price at this juncture, creating a standstill.
Lol
Not sure how this mess will play out but I’m 100% certain that Caserio will never get 5 high draft picks for Watson.
Not with his legal troubles they won’t !
Watson is clearly an immature guy with a worthless support staff. Eventually he’ll step up and pay all the women he took advantage of to go away. Then the NFL will gladly forget it ever happened. Texans are doing the right thing. Pay him to sit this year. Don’t let him anywhere near the team. Then get his full value from some other idiot GM next year.
I agree with everything except will Watson ever be worth full value? Sitting him a hear won’t help his value. Though it likely will be better than the current situation of “he’s going to get banned but for how long?”
What’s Goodell’s plan here?
He can either banish Watson to Trevor Bauer Land or he’s going to have to mercilessly threaten to cut off access to any media organization that acknowledges reality around Watson and even then it might not work.
Goodell won’t be doing anything until the lawyers reach their settlement. There will be some sort of suspension of Watson but Roger will want to put this incident in the rear view mirror quickly so he can return the focus to his ludicrous idea of expanding the NFL to Europe and beyond.
“The team has not softened it’s asking price for Watson.”
So they’re reduced to this kind of lame PR bs.. No GM in his right mind would trade for that guy right now. Could you imagine the backlash he’d get with all of that hanging over Watson’s head for who knows how long?
What GM in their right mind would give that much up for a player with 22 civil suits hanging over his head?
David Tepper, apparently.
Man to b dealing with calf and ankle issues and know u can’t get a massage for it must b rough.