Deshaun Watson is reportedly upset with the Houston Texans over the way they've handled their coach ... [+]
Conventional wisdom says the Houston Texans would be insane to seriously explore trading Deshaun Watson. But it might be the best way out of their self-inflicted mess.
Houston’s franchise quarterback is reportedly unhappy with the entire direction of the franchise, beginning with his displeasure over the searches for a new head coach and general manager. Watson’s input on potential GM candidates was ignored, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, with the team instead hiring longtime New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio. The Texans commissioned the consulting firm Korn Ferry to devise a list of five candidates, which didn’t include Caserio, reports NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. But the team went off the board and hired Caserio anyway. Embattled executive Jack Easterby, who used to work with Caserio in New England, reportedly lobbied Cal McNair to hire his friend.
After the Caserio hiring was confirmed, Watson expressed his apparent frustration in a now-deleted tweet: “some things never change.”
While Caserio says Easterby won’t be making personnel decisions, his hiring indicates the former character coach still holds considerable sway within the organization. Or at least, more power than Watson. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports the three-time Pro Bowler is also upset the team has failed to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy for its head coaching opening. In addition, Mortensen says Watson could “play hardball” with Houston about a trade. Schefter adds that Watson’s anger level is “at a 10.”
It would be unprecedented for the Texans to trade Watson, a franchise quarterback in the prime of his career who just signed a nine-figure extension. The closest comparison would probably be the Denver Broncos dealing Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears after his third season, though Cutler lacked Watson’s on-field pedigree and lucrative contract. Cutler threw 18 interceptions during his last season in Denver; Watson just led the league in passing yards.
Still, the Broncos received a nice haul for Cutler: two first-round picks, a third-round pick and veteran quarterback Kyle Orton. Coincidently, longtime Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels engineered the Cutler trade. Bill Belichick is never afraid to part with star players. His disciples have typically copied his cold-blooded approach.
The last high-profile first-round quarterback to successfully force a trade was Carson Palmer, who vowed to never play for the Cincinnati Bengals again in March 2011. That October, the Bengals shipped Palmer to the Oakland Raiders, receiving a first-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Horrific roster and franchise management led the Texans to this precarious point. Watson, 25, is one of the best quarterbacks in football. He also inked a four-year, $156 million extension last September. There’s no putting lipstick on this pigskin pig: the Texans screwed up.
But here we are. The Texans are littered with dysfunction and bereft of draft picks and cap space. In last year’s Divisional Round, they built an early 24-0 lead over the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Since then, they’ve been outscored by 124 points — the fourth-worst scoring differential in the NFL.
Bill O’Brien’s years of short-sighted and haphazard decision-making caught up with Houston, and cost him his job. He was the first NFL coach fired this season. His ridiculous decision to trade DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for a second-round pick and mediocre running back David Johnson will go down in NFL infamy; trading two first-round picks for offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil left the Texans without draft capital. Between the 2017 and 2021 drafts, Houston will have only made two of its five first-round picks
Worse yet, the Texans are currently $18 million over the 2021 salary cap. It will be hard to close that gap without any first- or second-round picks this year. And that’s why trading Watson isn’t a crazy idea. It would be the quickest way for the Texans to restock their bare draft cupboard.
Watson would command an incredible haul on the trade market. His no-trade clause complicates matters, but Mortensen reports he’s open to considering the Miami Dolphins, who could send Tua Tagovailoa and additional compensation to Houston. The Dolphins own the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, which was originally Houston’s.
Tagovailoa didn’t perform to the level of fellow first-round rookie quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, and was dreadful in Miami’s Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. But overall, the Dolphins went 6-3 with Tagovailoa under center. With Tagovailoa, the Texans could reset at quarterback with a No. 5 overall pick, and also recoup needed draft capital. In addition to the No. 3 overall selection, the Dolphins are slated to pick at No. 18 overall.
There are other teams positioned to pay a ransom for Watson. The San Francisco 49ers could be an attractive option, given that Jimmy Garoppolo is still under club control. They could multiple first-round picks — including the No. 12 pick this year — and Garoppolo for Watson’s services. While there is a talent drop-off between Watson and Garoppolo, at least the Texans wouldn’t be starting from scratch. Garoppolo did help lead San Francisco to the Super Bowl last year. Plus, Caserio drafted Garoppolo in New England. (The 49ers would only incur $2.8 million in dead money if they deal Garoppolo.)
The most tantalizing trade scenario involves the Jacksonville Jaguars, who own the No. 1 overall pick. Trevor Lawrence is expected to be great, but Watson already is. He could instantly catapult the Jaguars to contention. And conversely, the Texans would have another chance to land a franchise quarterback, and not mess things up.
Of course, it’s hard to imagine divisional foes completing a trade of that magnitude. But it’s worth the conversation. The Texans are in a bad situation, and Watson is understandably displeased. Once unthinkable, trading him could be the only way to flush everything out, and try again.
