Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws during the first half against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium
Deshaun Watson’s tenure in Houston is finally coming to an end after it was announced last week that Harris Count, Texas would not pursue criminal charges against the star quarterback relating to the 10 criminal complaints filed against him. Though more legal proceedings await Watson, who has been accused by 22 women of various forms of harassment and sexual assault, it looks like he’ll be back in action this upcoming season. As soon as this news broke last Friday, interested NFL teams assembled in quick order to make their pitch to Watson.
Even with the baggage that Watson comes with, the 26-year-old passer will join rare company when he is traded. He’s an established elite quarterback despite playing on one of the weakest rosters in the league since joining the Texans in 2017. To see such a dynamic, skilled, and efficient star dealt in his prime is almost unprecedented.
To date, only four teams have been verified as part of the recruitment process for Watson. The Saints, Falcons, Panthers, and Browns each made their pitch for Watson to waive his no-trade clause and accept a trade to their franchise. There were also conflicting reports that the 49ers had interest, but they did not have a meeting set up at the time of publishing.
On Tuesday night, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that Houston already had approved trades with New Orleans, Carolina, and Cleveland prior to their meetings in case Watson chose their franchise.
We’ll delve into what each team can not only offer the Houston Texans but also Deshaun Watson. Not every situation is as attractive as the other and each team boasts unique assets.
Browns
Deal: RB Kareem Hunt, S Grant Delpit, TE Harrison Bryant, 2022 first-round pick (No. 13), 2022 second-round pick (No. 44), 2023 and 2024 first-round picks
The Browns fit Deshaun Watson on the field better than any of the other four teams that earned a recruitment meeting with him. And maybe that’s why Baker Mayfield sent out a cryptic note Tuesday night. The roster is loaded with young stars across their roster and have the ability to maintain their cap flexibility even with Watson’s $35 million salary added. Watson would be able to immediately compete for a Super Bowl while in his prime.
The list of pros for Cleveland have taken years of good drafting, savvy trades, and quality coaching hires. They have the best head coach of the four teams at the table, as Kevin Stefanski has proven with multiple teams and quarterbacks he can create an efficient system that caters to his talent. He won NFL Coach of the Year for his incredible efforts in 2020.
Surrounding Watson with Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, David Njoku, and Austin Hooper for playmakers is an excellent start. Watson would also thrive behind easily the best offensive line he’s played with. The Browns could also afford to sign one of Watson’s favorites, Will Fuller, and offer a starting role to Watson’s former teammate.
The negatives for Cleveland are obviously a deep AFC contender pool and dealing with cold weather games throughout December and January. Watson may shy away from facing the gauntlet within the AFC for the next decade.
Saints
Deal: S CJ Gardner-Johnson Jr., Edge Payton Turner, 2022 first-round pick (No. 18), 2022 second-round pick (No. 49), 2023 first and second-round picks
The Saints once again deserve credit for their salary cap wizardry. The fact they’ve unburied themselves from another mountainous cap burden with restructures once again is impressive. Coming out from an unprecedented cap debt to somehow shoehorn Watson’s $35 million salary into their long-term plans is actually a fitting outcome for a regime that’s worked miracles before.
New Orleans’ pitch to Watson must revolve around their ability to offer a roster that would be competitive in the NFC with him at quarterback. Head coach Dennis Allen has done an excellent job with a talented defense throughout his tenure, and he wisely retained offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. It’s easy to imagine Watson dominating in the same offense that spurred Drew Brees to an accomplished, highly efficient career.
Veteran offensive playmakers Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara headline an offense short on depth. The Saints continually found production from unheralded sources while Sean Payton and Brees were with the team and they’ll need to continue that trend. The lack of other proven difference-makers and the injury histories of Thomas and Kamara must be concerning.
Still, the Saints have the best situation among the three NFC South teams for Watson to choose from. He’d stay in a warm weather city and benefit from a fast track in the Superdome. It’s also reasonable for New Orleans to rival the Buccaneers to win the division in 2022.
Panthers
Deal: WR Terrace Marshall, DT Derrick Brown, 2022 first-round pick (No. 6), 2023 first and second round pick
There’s been no doubt about the Panthers’ interest in Watson from the moment he requested out from Houston. Owner David Tepper has not been quiet about his desire to bring Watson back to the Carolinas. The former Clemson star never approved a trade to Carolina last year, just to Miami.
The Panthers endured a tumultuous 2021 season after foolishly trading for Sam Darnold. Christian McCaffrey proceeded to miss 10 games, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady was fired midseason because he refused to run the ball as much as head coach Matt Rhule preferred. With a shaky head coaching situation, porous offensive line, and injury issues with McCaffrey, Carolina’s pitch isn’t the strongest.
On the flip side, Tepper may be willing to give Watson what other franchises won’t: power. Direct input on personnel decisions and coaching candidates could significantly sway this battle if Watson has an appetite for more control over his career. Carolina is a major threat because of their desperation.
Falcons
Deal: CB Kendall Sheffield, OL Jalen Mayfield, 2022 first-round pick (No. 8), 2022 second-round pick (No. 43), 2023 and 2024 first-round picks, 2023 second-round pick
Watson is from Atlanta and continues to train in the area, so his hometown Falcons of course have appeal. However, the Falcons appear to be the longest shot to land Watson in terms of on-field appeal and potential compensation packages. After trading Julio Jones and losing Calvin Ridley to a year-long suspension, the lone offensive star left is Kyle Pitts.
Atlanta’s lack of cap flexibility despite a poor overall roster would only enhance the sudden gutting of draft picks that a Watson trade would cause. Atlanta could likely fetch a solid draft pick in return for veteran Matt Ryan, but trading Ryan would also leave a massive dead cap charge. Watson would be going from one terrible situation to another in Atlanta.
Houston has agreed to parameters with each of the teams Watson has met, but Atlanta’s lack of young assets means they’ll pay more in draft picks than their peers. Atlanta’s inclusion into this mix feels more like an exploratory interest than a legitimate threat to earn Watson’s approval. Signing up for a capped out team that lacks draft picks would be a career killer.
49ers
Deal: QB Trey Lance, RB Trey Sermon, 2022 second-round pick (No. 61), 2023 second-round pick
The sleeping giant that hasn’t been verified as a competitor for Watson are the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is a well-respected, highly accomplished presence, and the team he’s assembled with John Lynch is perfect for Watson to take over. However, the only way this deal is possible is if Houston loves Trey Lance enough to take him as the main piece in a trade.
The Texans are comfortable starting Davis Mills in 2022, but Lance offers a significantly higher upside. What the 49ers paid in the trade up for Lance last year is largely irrelevant to the Texans, though. These teams might have a hard time agreeing on compensation prior to Watson even considering the 49ers.
If Watson were to land in San Francisco, the 49ers would catapult to Super Bowl favorite status. The franchise wasn’t far off with Jimmy Garoppolo already, and Watson’s impact would dwarf Garoppolo’s. We’ll see if the 49ers make a late push to enter the race.