The disastrous situation brewing between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans is quickly becoming untenable.
Watson desperately wants out of Houston due to his front office’s overall incompetence. Chief among his trepidations as far as continuing to be a member of the Texans is the fact that he no longer trusts team owner Cal McNair.
McNair had promised to give Watson a chance to weigh in on the team’s next general manager. Instead of living up to that pledge, he promptly turned around and hired Nick Caserio in the role without speaking to his young quarterback.
That was the big slight. The smaller slights that have rubbed Watson the wrong way include Houston’s failure to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and freshly hired New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
At this point, it’s clear: Watson wants to be traded. But where?
According to ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen, Watson’s top pick is the Miami Dolphins.
“There is now a growing consensus that Watson will force his way out of Houston and we would command a high-compensation package if the Texans did indeed trade him,” he said on ESPN’s NFL Countdown. “Just a reminder: Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract. Sources confirm that the Dolphins remain a preferred destination and by the way, another side benefit is Florida no state taxes just like Texas.”
This not the first time a report has linked Watson to Miami. Last week, Mortenson also named the Dolphins as a serious contender in a potential trade.
The Ravens kept it real after Lamar Jackson’s latest playoff flop. https://t.co/zmz16PZho1
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 17, 2021
One growing concern for the Dolphins is the fact that players in their locker room don’t have a ton of respect for current quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. And they are not shy about expressing it.
Watson had a very strong individual 2020 campaign, recording 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. He would immediately upgrade the Dolphins’ offense, but head coach Brian Flores has been very resistant to the idea of moving away from Tagovailoa.
Paige has ditched the Steelers and has a new favorite NFL team now. https://t.co/xDqRw29Pyz
— Game 7 (@game7__) January 17, 2021
Obviously a dark horse team could emerge from the shadows and steal Watson away, but at the moment it seems like a two-pony race.
Given the rate at which Watson’s relationship with the Texans is deteriorating, it stands to reason that a trade will happen sooner rather than later.
Related: Josh Gordon’s Fall From Grace Gets Even Sadder
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
