Deshaun Watson

Steelers Not Interested In Deshaun Watson

March 9th, 2022 at 5:05pm CST by Ben Levine

The Steelers are one of the few QB-needy teams remaining, but don’t expect them to pursue the most talented option that’s still on the market. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports (via Twitter) that the Steelers are not interested in acquiring Deshaun Watson.

With Ben Roethlisberger now out of the picture, the Steelers are clearly on the lookout for their next signal-caller (with apologies to Mason Rudolph). There’s a variety of reasons why the organization may be crossing Watson off their list. Of course, there’s the QB’s ongoing legal issues, and while there should be come clarity on his immediate NFL future when he appears before a grand jury Friday, a suspension is likely coming (regardless of an indictment). His uncertain playing status could be important to a Steelers squad that may be looking to return to the postseason. The organization could also be scared off by Houston’s asking price, which continues to be three first-round picks and more assets.

So if not Watson, who could the Steelers pursue? We heard recently the the team was targeting Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater and Mitchell Trubisky, and the organization has also been connected to Liberty QB Malik Willis. The front office could ultimately decide to pair a rookie quarterback with a veteran.

There’s also Rudolph, who the organization has continually praised via the media. The former third-round pick had some success as a starter in 2019, guiding the Steelers to a 5-3 record while tossing 13 touchdowns vs. nine interceptions. The team will also be placing a restricted free agent tag on QB Dwayne Haskins, who could also end up competing for the starting nod.

Seahawks Interested In Deshaun Watson

March 9th, 2022 at 4:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Deshaun Watson‘s 2022 availability is very much in doubt, another team is set to enter the mix for the embattled Texans quarterback. A day after trading Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are interested in acquiring Watson, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

The Seahawks obtained two first-round picks, two seconds and a fifth for Wilson, whom the Broncos landed to finally fill their quarterback void. The Broncos were not believed to be interested in Watson after his sexual assault and sexual misconduct allegations surfaced last year, but other teams remain in the mix. After the Dolphins bowed out, the Panthers and Eagles have been connected to the Pro Bowl talent. And the Seahawks now have some additional resources to pursue a new starter. The Texans have not reduced their asking price, eyeing three first-round picks and more assets.

Watson, 26, is set to appear before a grand jury Friday, which will also feature developments in the quarterback’s civil cases. An indictment would mean Watson’s football career will again slide to the back burner. A stay on the commissioner’s exempt list would likely follow, opening the door to the prospect of multiple lost seasons for the one-time Houston centerpiece player. Even without an indictment, it is hard to imagine the passer avoiding a lengthy suspension in 2022.

Watson’s off-field issues have not stopped teams from entering the fray. With Wilson and Aaron Rodgers off the trade market, he is by far the biggest name available. The Panthers have been connected to Watson for over a year, and the quarterback-needy team discussed a deal with the Texans before the 2021 trade deadline. The Eagles also looked into Watson extensively last year. Watson did not waive his no-trade clause for anyone but the Dolphins, however. Now that they are out of the picture, he will need to reconsider other options. The Seahawks being a new suitor adds intrigue to this complex situation. The Commanders were also interested in Watson, per Wilson, but they have since traded for Carson Wentz.

Seattle used the same starting quarterback for all but three games over the past 10 years. Wilson made nine Pro Bowls and took the team to two Super Bowls and eight playoff brackets. Only one season elapsed between the Matt Hasselbeck and Wilson eras, making the current circumstances rather unusual for one of the 21st century’s most successful franchises. From this angle, it makes sense the Seahawks would pursue Watson. The Broncos included Drew Lock in the Wilson trade, but the Seahawks will surely aim higher. It appears they are willing to gauge Watson’s interest.

Watson was connected to Minnesota and Tampa Bay as destinations, though not much has emerged on those fronts in recent weeks. Seattle joins those teams in having impact wide receivers and having made recent postseason appearances, and the team plays in a division that houses Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and a 49ers team that just ventured to the NFC title game. With just Lock in the picture for now, the Seahawks are well off the pace.

Latest On Texans’ Deshaun Watson

March 8th, 2022 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Deshaun Watson will plead the fifth in Friday’s civil proceedings, attorney Rusty Hardin says (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). For his part, Hardin says this is ultimately comes down to a timing conflict.

“I’m not going to allow him to testify (in the civil cases) until the grand jury completes its investigation,” Hardin said.

The district attorney investigating Watson will present her case to a grand jury on Friday, the same day as the civil deposition. Hardin says this is standard practice — as Watson’s lawyer, he cannot advise the Texans QB to testify in the civil hearings before the grand jury investigation plays out.

The Broncos — once believed to be a Watson suitor — took themselves out of the market today by trading for longtime Seahawks superstar Russell Wilson. That deal will see quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, and tight end Noah Fant go to Seattle along with two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round pick for Wilson and a fourth-round choice.

Given Watson’s inactivity and off-the-field situation, it’s hard to imagine the Texans topping that haul. Previously, the Texans were said to be seeking three first-round picks — plus starting-caliber help — in any deal for Watson. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have also shut the door on the embattled QB. For his part, Watson has been said to like the Buccaneers and Vikings as landing spots. Ultimately, the Panthers may be his most logical destination.

Despite all the issues, we do know that multiple teams are interested in Watson. At least some of those clubs are willing to trade for Watson before the civil suits are resolved, but they all want to see how things play out on Friday with regards to charges.

Denver Emerging As Premier QB Destination

March 5th, 2022 at 6:15pm CST by Ely Allen

We wrote a bit earlier today on the Broncos being among multiple AFC teams who “have trade compensation lined up with the Packers,” in relation to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Well, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Denver has emerged as a prime location for many of the league’s veteran quarterbacks looking for a potential change of scenery.

The Broncos recently hired former Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to replace Vic Fangio, who failed to accomplish a winning season in three years with the Broncos. The former Green Bay staffer represents an obvious and strong connection for Rodgers. Should Rodgers decide to move on from the Packers, having a play-caller that he’s familiar with could add some allure to the Mile High City. Another intriguing aspect that could bring a star quarterback to Denver is the addition of former Vikings’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Kubiak just helped Kirk Cousins turn in one of his best seasons in Minnesota.

Hackett and company inherit an impressive roster posed to perform. The defense is comprised of veterans like outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, safety Justin Simmons, defensive end Shelby Harris, and cornerback Ronald Darby. There are a number of free agents that Denver would like to bring back like cornerbacks Bryce Callahan & Kyle Fuller, defensive back Kareem Jackson, inside linebacker Josey Jewell, and outside linebacker Malik Reed. Even if they fail to bring some of those names back, the Broncos saw impressive seasons last year for youngsters like cornerback Patrick Surtain II, linebacker Baron Browning, defensive end Dre’Mont Jones, and safety Caden Sterns. The list of defensive players above may not overwhelm you with stardom, but, together, the Broncos defense ranked third in the league in points allowed and eighth in the league in yards allowed.

In addition to a brand new offense and stacked defense, Denver boasts a nice array of young offensive weapons. An impressive receiving corps is led by veteran 26-year-old Courtland Sutton, young star Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick, who has broken out a bit over the past two seasons. The Broncos also have two talented, young receiving tight ends in Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam. Any quarterback looking to join in on the fun would potentially have the benefit of a two-headed rushing attack that was 79 yards short of a combined 2,000-yard rushing season. Running back Javonte Williams enjoyed a healthy dose of carries in his rookie season, and there is mutual interest in bringing back Melvin Gordon.

Rodgers is obviously a name to keep an eye on as the decision on his future in Green Bay looms on the horizon. He has said that he will let the Packers know of his intentions before the franchise tag deadline so they can figure out how to deal with free agent wide receiver Davante Adams. In addition to Rodgers, though, keep an eye out for Denver to make moves on other quarterbacks searching for greener pastures. Russell Wilson has long been rumored to be interested in moving on from Seattle, and Deshaun Watson is still searching for a new home.

Whether Rodgers, Wilson, Watson, or some other under-the-radar name, look for the Broncos to make a move for a star quarterback. If they are able to find the right fit, the move could bring them into contention for what could easily turn into the toughest division in football.

Dolphins GM Talks Watson, Payton/Brady Rumors, Howard

March 3rd, 2022 at 5:05pm CST by Ben Levine

THURSDAY: Set to pursue a media gig, Payton indicated to veteran NFL reporter Jason Cole (via Twitter) he would “probably not” have been interested in this Dolphins setup had he been given the chance to speak with the team. Once Payton lands with a network, the subject of his next coaching stop figures to come up fairly frequently.

WEDNESDAY: It’s already been a busy offseason for the Dolphins. The team hired a new head coach in Mike McDaniel, dealt with the fallout of former HC Brian Flores‘ lawsuit, and brushed off continued rumors regarding their quarterback position.

While speaking with reporters today, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier addressed many of the major story lines surrounding the organization. Most notably, the GM acknowledged that “the door is shut” on acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Texans. The organization has been continually connected to Watson over the past year, but the team’s decision makers seem focused on moving forward with Tua Tagovailoa.

Grier also addressed a recent report that indicated the organization pursued Sean Payton as their head coach and Tom Brady as their starting quarterback. While the GM discussed the team’s brief pursuit of the coach (which we detail below), he said the Dolphins “never had a conversation” with the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

The Dolphins general manager provided a handful of additional thoughts on the state of the Dolphins, which we’ve compiled below (h/t to Cameron Wolfe of NFL.com):

More on the Dolphins’ commitment to Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback:

“Mike and the staff have come in to do a lot of work, studied a lot of Tua and they feel good about his developmental upside, what he can be and then the fit in the offense. I think we’re good with Tua.”

On the Dolphins pursuit of Payton:

“[We called the Saints] to see if he is done with football or does he want to coach. … They told us no, they weren’t going to grant permission. So that was it.

“We stopped to see if he would have interest at all. So, I don’t even know if he would have interest.”

On cornerback Xavien Howard, who is seeking a new contract following back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons:

“My anticipation is that Xavien will be here next year. We made the promise to him — after the season, we’ll make the adjustment … just to be truthful with him and do it, that’s the right thing to do.”

On impending free agents Mike Gesicki and Emmanuel Ogbah:

“Mike knows how I feel about him. I drafted him and have had separate conversations with Mike. We’ve had limited talks with his agents.”

“As it got to the end of the season with free agency, both of those guys get to this point, they want to be able to see what their options are. They both told us they want to be back in Miami. They both love it here, they want to be back. We’ll see what happens.”

On Flores’ class-action lawsuit against the NFL and three teams (including the Dolphins):

“(At) some point when it’s done [i can discuss], maybe in the future, but I can’t comment on this right now.

Dolphins GM: Door Shut On Deshaun Watson

March 2nd, 2022 at 4:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

The runaway leaders in last year’s Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, the Dolphins have officially bowed out. GM Chris Grier confirmed Wednesday the “door is shut” on a trade for the Texans’ star quarterback, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets.

Grier endorsed Tua Tagovailoa‘s progress ahead of his third season, following new HC Mike McDaniel in that regard. With the Dolphins being the only team for which Watson waived his no-trade clause, this opens up the playing field. Watson, of course, remains embroiled in the off-field scandals that have thrown his career off course. The timetable for resolutions in Watson’s civil and criminal cases remains murky, with a lengthy NFL suspension perhaps looming.

Buzz about the Dolphins acquiring Watson amid his off-field trouble intensified ahead of the 2021 trade deadline, when they were the only team left standing. Watson did not waive his no-trade clause for the Eagles or Panthers at that point. Stephen Ross was believed to have pushed Grier and Co. for weeks to finalize a Watson deal, but the Dolphins wanted conditions attached to the draft picks exchanged in the swap. No deal came to pass, and it has now been more than a year since Watson’s trade request surfaced.

Watson was reported to be interested in the Buccaneers and Vikings as destinations, and the Panthers — who showed considerable interest before the accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault emerged — still loom for the ex-Clemson superstar.

The Dolphins targeted Tagovailoa for over a year and were in position to land him due to the hip injury sustained late in the southpaw’s Alabama career. Of course, the Dolphins tried to pivot to Joe Burrow, offering the Bengals three first-rounders to move up in 2020, but were rebuffed. This QB pursuit has emerged in Flores’ lawsuit, which accused Ross of offering six-figure payments for 2019 losses.

The team will aim to move past these major headlines and build around Tagovailoa, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency as a pro. The Dolphins, however, saw receiver unavailability and a bottom-tier offensive line hinder Tua’s development last season. The Watson pursuit almost certainly affected the passer as well. It seems the Dolphins will try to give their starter a legitimate chance to succeed next season.

Latest On Texans, Deshaun Watson

February 25th, 2022 at 6:44pm CST by Zachary Links

A Deshaun Watson deal might not be too far off. Multiple teams are willing to trade for the embattled quarterback before his civil suits are settled, according to a source who spoke with PFT.

Still, these clubs have indicated that they won’t trade for Watson until his “criminal situation” is resolved. The Houston Police Department has not charged Watson with any crimes, though they haven’t ruled out the possibility either.

The Dolphins likely would have traded for Watson last year if his civil suits were put to rest. For what it’s worth, the Panthers were reportedly willing to deal for Watson, though the QB declined to drop his no-trade clause for them. This week, we learned that the Panthers are still interested, but it’s not clear if Watson’s stance has softened.

The Eagles could also get involved in the coming weeks. Philly GM Howie Roseman — who is never bashful about swinging a big trade — has done extensive homework on Watson. He’s also armed with plenty of trade chips, including three first-round picks in this year’s draft.

Meanwhile, Watson is also open to joining the Buccaneers and Vikings. In Tampa, Watson would be a compelling replacement for Tom Brady — at least, from a talent perspective. In Minnesota, the fit isn’t quite as clear given the presence and contract of Kirk Cousins. As it stands, Cousins has one year to go on his deal with $35MM in base pay with an even larger $45MM cap hit.

Panthers Still Interested In Deshaun Watson; Eagles Did Extensive Work On QB

February 23rd, 2022 at 4:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

A still-muddled legal situation has left Deshaun Watson‘s NFL career in limbo, but the quarterback continues to generate interest. While the Dolphins have moved out of the picture, the other team closely connected to the three-time Pro Bowler remains interested.

The Panthers still have Watson on their radar, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. The Panthers were prepared to make a major push for Watson last year, and after initially backing off after the off-field trouble surfaced, they were believed to have made the Texans an offer. Carolina re-emerging as a serious suitor could be a significant offseason development, though any trade talk obviously takes a backseat to the lawsuits ensnaring Watson.

Carolina’s quarterback situation moved Matt Rhule to the edge of a hot seat last year, and the team has not had stability at the position since Cam Newton‘s injuries began to pile up. The Panthers still have Sam Darnold‘s fully guaranteed $18.8MM salary on their payroll, but for a player like Watson, the QB-desperate team likely would not view that as a hindrance.

Watson holds a no-trade clause, and he is not believed to have waived it for anyone but the Dolphins last year. Still, his past at Clemson and the now-Mike McDaniel-led Dolphins exiting the pursuit — despite Stephen Ross‘ extensive interest prior to the 2021 trade deadline — certainly makes the Panthers a team to watch here.

Watson refusing to waive his no-trade clause for the Eagles did not stop them from doing plenty of work on the embattled QB. GM Howie Roseman “intensely” researched Watson’s situation, and the Eagles sent an investigator to Houston last year to gather more intel on this complex off-field matter, Wilson adds. With both Roseman and Jeffery Lurie being on this at various points, the door should not be viewed as closed on the Eagles’ end. They have three first-round picks in the 2022 draft — all in the teens — and could present the Texans with a compelling offer. Houston has sought a five- to seven-asset package for Watson, and want three first-rounders included in a proposal.

As for Watson’s criminal and civil cases, the holding pattern remains. Some of Watson’s accusers in the civil suit have yet to be deposed, and Wilson notes a judge ruled this week such depositions can be pushed back until at least April 1. Six of the 22 women accusing Watson of sexual assault or sexual misconduct have yet to be deposed. Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, still expects a resolution on Watson’s criminal case, which has seen 10 women come forward with complaints. The Houston Police Department has not yet charged Watson with a crime.

These investigations moving into April would put the teams still interested to decisions at quarterback, with the new league year opening March 16. With quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins‘ true availabilities unknown as of late February, Watson being dropped into the trade mix late would add another complexity to this equation. A potential NFL suspension clouds this process as well.

Deshaun Watson Open To Buccaneers, Vikings As Trade Destinations?

February 16th, 2022 at 5:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deshaun Watson has not played since Week 17 of the 2020 season and is entangled in multiple investigations related to alleged sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct. But the Texans quarterback has received three Pro Bowl nods and is just 26. This type of quarterback is rarely available, which will lead to buzz about his destination for a second straight offseason.

The Watson-Dolphins rumblings have quieted, with new Miami HC Mike McDaniel endorsing Tua Tagovailoa as his starter. The Dolphins were believed to be the only team for which Watson waived his no-trade clause last year, but he is now considering other teams. The Buccaneers and Vikings have emerged on the young passer’s radar, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes (ESPN+ link). After holding off on trade talks during most of the 2021 offseason, the Texans are prepared to move on.

At this juncture, Tampa Bay would make more sense as a destination. Tom Brady (for now) is retired, and the team has done work on Watson since its glaring quarterback need surfaced. Minnesota still has Kirk Cousins, but the team’s four-year starter is going into a contract year and has been mentioned in trades — albeit ones that would require the Vikings to eat some of their QB1’s salary. Watson is not interested in waiving his no-trade clause for a bad situation, with Fowler identifying a winning setup as the top item on the embattled QB’s checklist.

The Vikings have Cousins tied to a $35MM base salary in 2022 and a whopping $45MM cap number. Watson is also tethered to a $35MM base, and his 2020 extension calls for a $40.4MM cap number. The Vikings would be saddled with only $10MM in dead money by trading Cousins, but convincing another team to part with reasonable draft capital to take on the soon-to-be 34-year-old passer’s full base salary is probably unrealistic. It would be interesting to see Watson commit to a team that just hired a new coach and GM, but the Vikings do have Pro Bowl wideout Justin Jefferson as a top selling point.

Tampa Bay’s path is more complicated. The Bucs are holding out hope Brady reconsiders his retirement and returns for his age-45 season. But if the 22-year veteran drags out that process into the new league year, the Bucs may be forced to move on. Nearly half of the Bucs’ starting lineup is due for free agency, and without those players’ salaries on the books, the team currently holds barely $3MM in cap space. It will obviously take work for the Bucs to accommodate Watson’s salary, but the team completed a complex financial juggling act to retain its Super Bowl core last year.

Texans HC Lovie Smith’s Views On QBs Watson, Mills

February 15th, 2022 at 12:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans have a new head coach in Lovie Smith, but they appear to be maintaining the status quo when it comes to their quarterback situation. He detailed the desire to handle the Deshaun Watson situation, and also voiced support of 2021 rookie Davis Mills in a conversation with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Smith expressed optimism that a resolution will be coming somewhat soon with Watson. It is already well known that the team intends to trade him before the start of the new league year in March; Smith concurs that dealing him elsewhere would be the best outcome.

When asked about how quickly he wants the matter resolved, Smith answered, “As soon as possible… We’re patient, we’ve waited an entire year and I just feel like this offseason, it’ll come to an end and we’ll get it solved and it’ll be good for both parties, whatever that might be… We have a little bit of time, and we’ll get it done”.

Watson, 26, still has 22 sexual misconduct lawsuits that have yet to be resolved; between that, and his trade request, he sat out the 2021 season. Breer adds that if the three-time Pro Bowler is able to be dealt, there could be “a treasure trove of picks coming Houston’s way”.

With regards to Mills, Smith praised the third-rounder for his performance in 2021. “Of all those guys we played against, Davis played as well as any of those rookie quarterbacks”, he said. “I like his demeanor, how smart he is, and I like that he and [newly-promoted offensive coordinator] Pep Hamilton have been together for a year already. Those things should help us”. Mills ranked second amongst rookie signal callers in QBR, despite playing on the AFC’s second-worst team.

While Smith made it clear Mills isn’t assured to be the 2022 starter, he is certainly a supporter of his. Assuming the Watson swap does get done soon, Smith will be well positioned to move forward with, quite possibly, some much-needed continuity at the head coach and QB positions for at least the immediate future.

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