More news is coming out regarding one of the worst-kept secrets in the NFL. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and top head coaching candidate Brian Flores are looking to team up with each other in 2022, as first reported by insider Jordan Schultz (via Twitter). 
That has since been confirmed by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, who further details how the Giants may be a key suitor for the pair. He notes that “Flores wants his next shot at being a head coach to be with a stud quarterback”, something that would be a stark contrast to the inconsistent play of Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. While the Giants already have Daniel Jones at the top of their depth chart, he will be entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2022, and will carry a manageable – and partially tradeable – cap hit of $8.3MM.
Dunleavy adds that “most of the first seven candidates interviewed to be Giants general manager have Flores on their short list” and that the Brooklyn native “has his eye on the Giants, too”. It is worth remembering, on the other hand, that Flores is a member of the same Bill Belichick coaching tree as the recently-dismissed Joe Judge, something that may discourage the hiring of another ‘disciplinarian’ mold of head coach. Furthermore, it is “unclear” that New York would be willing to bring in Watson, given the unresolved legal challenges he is still facing. Dunleavy notes the “misguided” handling of a domestic violence arrest of kicker Josh Brown in 2016 as reason for pause.
Ultimately, then, “the easiest destination for a Watson-Flores pairing seems to be Houston”, one of the teams that has already interviewed Flores for their HC vacancy. Of course, Watson staying with the Texans would require him to repeal the trade request he made prior to the sexual misconduct allegations that kept him out of the lineup all season. As of now, the team still intends to trade the 26-year-old before the new league year begins in March. That may add some urgency to the Giants’ GM search, as they will not begin interviewing coaching candidates until that process is complete, meaning the Flores and Watson situations may already be resolved one way or another before the Giants have filled their vacancies.
In any event, it appears the ultimate destination for one of the league’s best quarterbacks and a top head coaching candidate will be determined in the near future.
Please No Giants
Watson,No. Flores Yes
Sounds like a package deal to me both or neither!!! NY Giants fans decide not that it makes a difference.
Flores could take the head coaching vacancy in Houston, then he wouldn’t have to trade for Watson.
True… but Watson and management hate each other.
Watson wants out of Houston. Thats fine. Send the Texans some picks for him and pair him with Flores.
If I was a head coach looking at the Giants I would be trying to add pieces to keep Jones upright and give him some better weapons to work with. Flores could get the most out of their defense but there isn’t a head coach out there that could get anything remotely productive out of that offense. Swap Jones for Watson and the supporting cast will still drag him down just the same. I have always said that I think Daniel Jones is a more than serviceable QB in the NFL and just needs a vast improvement of his supporting cast. To me if Flores is going to pair up with Watson its going to have to happen in Houston. Chicago would make some sense but in order to trade for Watson they would most likely have to start the conversation with Fields heading back to Houston. At this point I don’t see Watson being more valuable on paper than Fields due to age, contract amount and the fact that Watson just sat out an entire season. This will be an interesting offseason as far as the head coaching carousel is concerned.
So you’re saying that Fields is more valuable than Watson? Wow. Fields was the lowest rated quarterback in the NFL this season. Watson is only 26 and is already a proven star. Now having a possible suspension looming is something that I would look into before making a trade for him, there is no denying that he is a baller
“Something to look into”?? That may be the understatement of this feed. Right now Watson has more baggage than a 747 and until it’s unloaded, no GM in his right mind will trade 3 #1s plus for him unless he’s at the very least, settled out of court with his accusers.
Glad you agree. This is also a civil case for Watson, not a criminal case
This is a fascinating situation. It seems to indicate why there was so much noise around Watson going to Miami when the fan base was almost unanimous about not wanting Watson (especially at the rumored asking price).
I hope Flores can learn from the mistakes he made in Miami because he could be a great head coach if he does.
Sounds like it’ll be with either with the Broncos or the Giants.
I forgot about the Broncos. As I said above I don’t think the Giants situation makes as much sense as them linking up in Houston but Denver does also make sense. If Daniel Jones would be the return player for Watson with a couple draft picks attached I think that would be a good starting point for the Giants. It would take a lot more draft capital for Denver to acquire Watson since their QB options aren’t any better than rolling into 2022-2023 with Davis Mills. For what it’s worth I like what Mills was able to show with a barren offensive supporting cast.
Not sure why the Texans are so anxious to trade Watson. He’s under contract and has a no trade clause which restricts where they can trade him to. He surely has a suspension coming, at the very least. I’d tell him to live by his contract and play. If not… he sits out in NFI list and don’t pay him.
Ridiculous situation
I could understand why they’d want to trade him because trying to get something of value for him helps you win games long-term, and Houston is so far away that what does it matter if you win 4 games or 6 next year. What I can’t understand is why any team would want to give value up for him.
They cant put him on the NLI list as he’s not injured (NLI list is for players who get injured outside of football) since he’s healthy and he actively made an attempt to join the team (aka showing up to training camp only for them to tell him not to come back) they’d have to make him a healthy scratch every game like they did this year and still pay him. Plus if they just stopped paying him, he could file a grievance and the NFLPA would have to get involved and there’s no way the Texans are winning a lawsuit by withholding pay.
Watson – Hell no…..too much sexual baggage and the NY press would eat him alive, no matter what he pleads to to settle the NY Press will hound him…..and besides the draft capital it would take would give the Giants Watson, but continue to surround him with second team supporting cast so not too much would change….maybe an 8 or 9 win season if they were lucky, but not too much beyond and certainly not keeping up with the rest of the East.
Flores – No…..he wants too much management control, and what GM is going to want to come over and get into a team control pissing contest with his HC right off the bat….the only way this might happen is if the G-Men anointed Abrams the new GM and the combination of an over-controlling coach, and a lame duck GM who is also terrible at cap management would doom the G-Men for the next decade.
With Watsons unsettled personal issues still hanging over him, he is a no go in the NY market. The press here would eat him alive. The Giants need to choose a GM first anyway. Let that person create a NEW Giant plan for the future, including selecting the teams next head coach. As to getting some one from the Belichik school, we’ve seen that the only guy that seems to work for is Bill Gelichik
I don’t want that predator on my team. If he comes I leave
There is a zero percent chance that John Mara and Steve Tisch allow Deshaun Watson to play for the Giants. There’s a tiny chance Watson plays at all for anyone in 2022, but it certainly wouldn’t be for the Giants.
I agree. The Giants have a holier than thou type attitude. Don’t see them going anywhere near Watson.
Exactly. They preach ‘class’ and ‘high character’ and whether or not they actually follow through with that in practice, they’re certainly not going to invite controversy with a guy like Watson. Deandre Baker was a first rounder and got cut as soon as he had his off-the-field controversy and they did not even wait for the full story.
All the giants fans saying no to Watson. Understandable. But it’s not like Dan Jones is worth keeping anyways.
That may be true but its besides the point as far as Watson is concerned…..a sexual predator, regardless of what his attorneys do to get him able to play in the NFL would be eaten alive by the NY Sports Press even if NYC is one of the most WOKE cities in the US these days and also the Mara family is one of the most conservative voices in pro sports.
Boomers using the word woke has ran its course.
I’m not sure why a press that is “awake” means they’d go easier on a predator. They’ve usually been accused of the opposite cancel culture. Some guys should stay away from trendy topics.
Someone using the word “boomer” shouldn’t tell anybody not to use the word “woke”.
funny I read that as a failed ‘s and speaking of Boomer and Gio WFAN morning show. but if he’s using that actually boomer term for real. gfg, you’re using a term that had a demographic born just after WWII (1945-48, 1950 if you push it). unlikely this forum has this demo.
To the cool Internet folks, “Boomer” is just anybody sufficiently old enough to not be attached to a screen at all times. The actual definition of the demographic seems unimportant, or even knowing what it’s supposed to be. I do think that it’s ironic that he’s telling somebody that they’re wrong for using a trendy internet buzzword while he engages in doing so himself, while also directly insulting (or trying to) another member. Pretty snooty, huh?
A QB isn’t going to fix the Giants and Watson is no guarantee to play. He may never take the field again and if he does, it’s likely after a long suspension. Whatever picks the Giants would have to give up to get Watson are far more valuable than picking up Watson and his massive salary (Giants are already in a very bad cap situation).
As a Giants fan, I’d much rather draft OL and defense and roll with Jones while rebuilding than have Watson, no cap room going forward, and no first round picks. It’s a no brainer.
And this is not even mentioning the PR hit the Giants would take if they acquired Watson. Like I said above, and like @rocky7 said as well, the Maras would never allow Watson on the Giants.
There is a 0% chance he never plays again. There are no criminal charges and they almost settled all of his civil suits for the small amount of 100k each with Watson not admitting any guilt. All but 4 of the women wanted to accept the offer.
Mitch Trubiskey has a better career W/L record than Deshaun Watson.
Are they playing one on one football? Baker Mayfield is 3-0 against Joe Burrow and has a better won loss record but I think everyone would take Burrow over Baker
What’s funny is that wherever he signs. He’s faced with a multiple game suspension probably looking at the first 4 games because of the sexual misconduct harassment suit filed against him
I find it comical that all of the Giants GM interviewees have Flores at the top of their list after he was just fired for wanting to take over control of the team from the GM in Miami.
This helps the Texans if Watson and Flores become a package deal. The Texans would be able to play some hardball knowing that one wants to be there with the other one.
Giants would be lucky to get both Flores and Watson
Flores, maybe. Watson, no. Giants need a full rebuild from the ground up. A flashy, very expensive, and controversial quarterback is the last thing they need. They’d have no high draft picks and no cap room to sign anyone.
“one of the league’s best quarterbacks…”
Haha. Way to kill any credibility in that article.
He is easily a top 10 QB
Tells you Flores character wanting to team up with that filth.
I’ve heard conflicting reports, at first I heard he was against Watson joining Miami. now this article, not sure the original source is counter to that. at this point until playoffs are over there’s so much agent press, spins and garbage its a tough filtering exercise
Firing Judge just to hire Flores? Seems like too similar a move, no?
Flores obviously has more strategic capability, but it sounded like Judge and Flores had similar issues in their respective stops.
Both parties are clearly looking for a happy ending to the situation.