NFL: Deshaun Watson will Houston Texans verlassen

It was a quake that shook the NFL on Thursday.

Deshaun Watson wants to go. According to concurring media reports from several NFL insiders, the franchise quarterback has officially asked the Houston Texans for a trade. (NFL results and schedule)

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The playmaker had already fueled rumors of an exit in the past few weeks. Watson no longer answered his phone when team leaders called him, clear social media posts did the rest. So now there is clarity.

According to information from ESPN– Journalist Adam Schefter, the athlete is said to have communicated his wish to the team weeks ago.

How could it come to this? Watson has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league for years. His numbers are impressive, a team with a playmaker like him should actually play for the title. But far from it.

With a record of only four wins and twelve defeats, the Texans have missed the playoffs by a crash. There is currently no prospect of improvement. (NEWS: Everything you need to know about the NFL)

Watson has signed a mega contract

The fact that Watson is now clearly expressing his wish to change, although he had signed a mega contract for 160 million US dollars before the start of the season, is not due to an unsuccessful sporting season. For years the franchise angered its key player.

The DeAndre Hopkins trade caused the greatest trouble. In March 2020, the team let the star receiver move to the Cardinals. Running back David Johnson and a second and a fourth round pick in return looked downright ridiculous and shocked fans and experts alike.

Not only were the Texans ridiculous, Watson also lost his most important face-off.

Responsible at the time was Bill O’Brien, who in a double role as head coach and personnel decision maker had already made sure that the Texans did not have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft with few successful trades.

Culley new head coach – but many mistakes with Texans

After O’Brien was laid off, the team had been looking for a new coach and general manager for months. Watson, as the most important player on the team, was promised a say. But it turned out differently.

He found out about the new GM’s commitment – just like with the Hopkins trade – from the media. And his preferred candidate for the head coach position was not committed either.

After all, the Texans signed David Culley on Friday: The 65-year-old was assistant head coach, passing coordinator and wide receiver coach for the Baltimore Ravens for the past two seasons.

When asked about Deshaun Watson’s personality, Culley said: “The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he will continue to be a Houston Texan.”

But Deshaun’s time in the franchise, whose jersey the quarterback has been wearing since his first round pick in 2017, is drawing to a close. So where could it end up?

The negotiations shouldn’t be easy for the Texans, no matter which team. A trade package like the one at Hopkins, in which Houston was seen as the clear loser, should be prevented at all costs. But even if the franchise comes to an agreement with a competitor, that does not mean that an exchange will take place.

No-trade clause in the contract

The reason for this is the so-called no-trade clause that Watson has in his contract. The 25-year-old can block the trade with a team if he does not agree with it. The equivalent value alone does not count, the playmaker’s opinion is also decisive.

With a cap hit of a good 10.5 million US dollars, Watson is a bargain, especially in 2021 and in view of the corona crisis. In the four years after that, more than 30 million must be loosened. When asked about a landing spot for Watson, the decisive factor is not the salary, but the package required for the commitment.

According to the US media, Watson himself is said to favor two teams in particular: the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. What could both offer?

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins narrowly missed the playoffs despite a score of 10: 6. Thanks to a strong team, in the eyes of many experts only one star QB is missing for the great success – which rookie Tua Tagovailoa is not yet. Due to the failed Texans trade in 2019, Miami has the third pick this year and the 18th in round one. With the two first round picks as well as the one from 2022 and Tagovailoa on top, the team has a good negotiating position.

New York Jets

The second worst team of the past season is still not a sporty treat, but could also offer an attractive draft package with two first-round picks in 2021. And even if Watson were to be signed, the team would still have enough money to strengthen themselves in other positions. But a total rebuild is necessary for great success.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The situation with the jaguars is the same as with the jets. The team is not good at sport, but they have many draft picks on offer. The Cap Space is even bigger than that of its rival from the Big Apple.

But: Jacksonville has the first pick in the draft and could secure one of the greatest playmaking talents of the past few years in Trevor Lawrence. Whether this will be as good as Watson is of course not guaranteed, it would always be significantly cheaper.

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San Francisco 49ers

With the 49ers it is not clear whether the previous playmaker Jimmy Garoppolo will stay. With George Kittle, the team has one of the best pass recipients in the league, and the defense is among the elite despite the enormous bad luck with injuries last season.

One thing that speaks for San Francisco is that they play in the NFC and therefore not in the same conference as the Texans. When it comes to draft picks, however, they are not that well equipped and would only have to go further. Defensive monster Nick Bosa would be an option, but whether the 49ers are ready to give him up is doubtful.

Washington Football Team

The situation in Washington is similar to that in Miami. The team is good, the foundations are in place, only one super quarterback is missing. But the football team does not have a good draft package either and would have to sacrifice first and second round picks for the next three years.

Is that enough? It would probably also need a strong player. The conversation quickly turns to Chase Young. But would Washington really let its best player go?

Since the GM post is still vacant anyway, it is difficult to assess the direction of the team.

In addition to the teams mentioned, there are also other teams in the race. The New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Indianpolis Colts also need the most important position. The Panthers in particular seem to have a great interest in Watson and, according to insider Ian Rapoport, want to act “aggressively” to sign him.

But even Carolina has only a few picks available and would have to sacrifice at least one good player. It is also unclear what would happen to the previous playmaker Teddy Bridgewater.

Whichever team Watson goes to, one thing is clear: it could become one of the biggest deals in NFL history. (NFL tables)

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