The calamitous situation brewing between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans has reached the point of no return. He wants out for a myriad of reasons, and it’s hard to see a scenario where that changes.
Chief among Watson’s concerns as far as continuing to be a member of the Texans is the fact that he no longer trusts team owner Cal McNair.
Originally, McNair promised to give Watson a chance to weigh in on the team’s next general manager. Rather than living up to that pledge, he immediately turned around and hired Nick Caserio. That caused a deep rift.
Beyond the Caserio decision, Watson was also unhappy with McNair for refusing to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and freshly-hired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
This week ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler appeared on ‘Get Up’ and revealed three sleeper teams that should be kept an eye on as the discussions surrounding a Watson trade intensify.
🔹 Chicago Bears
🔹 Carolina Panthers
🔹 Washington Football Team@JFowlerESPN‘s list of sleepers in a potential Deshaun Watson trade. pic.twitter.com/bm6D9fZDhF
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 20, 2021
“The Chicago Bears,” he said. “I know there are people in that building that are very high on Deshaun Watson. Even though they passed on him in 2017, general manager Ryan Pace could maybe get a mulligan.”
The Bears famously opted to take Mitchell Trubisky in 2017 with the No. 2 overall pick, ahead of both Patrick Mahomes and Watson. This could be a chance to rectify that lapse in judgment.
If not Chicago, Fowler also believes there is another low-key suitor in the mix: the Carolina Panthers.
“Panthers, I’m hearing, would gauge interest if he was indeed on the market,” Fowler added. “This is a team that wasn’t completely sold on Teddy Bridgewater – they’ve sort of made that clear.”
Back when Tiger didn’t know how to get women, MJ gave him a 6-word pick-up line that changed everything. https://t.co/OTz84sZ7vY
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 19, 2021
Carolina showed some promise under new head coach Matt Rhule, but clearly Bridgewater did not perform to expectations. The organization was hoping he would be able to replicate what he did during Drew Brees’ absence in 2019 with the New Orleans Saints – that didn’t end up happening.
Finally, the Washington Football Team is very much in the mix.
“Washington Football team is another that is mentioned as going to be busy this offseason trying to get their future quarterback,” Fowler reported.
The Ravens kept it real after Lamar Jackson’s latest playoff flop. https://t.co/zmz16PZho1
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 17, 2021
It is worth noting, none of those three teams are Watson’s preferred destination. How much will what he wants play into any potential trade? That is very much debatable.
Currently, it appears as though the battle to acquire Watson is a two-pony race – with one potential dark horse trailing close behind.
Who will ultimately walk away with him, though? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
