Now this is interesting.
ESPN Upstate Radio in South Carolina reports Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has a list of three teams to which he would approve a trade.
On Monday, sources told Offsides with Marc Ryan that while the list may not be finalized and the situation remains fluid, there are three teams that Watson has expressed willingness to approve a trade to: the New York Jets, the Miami Dolphins, and the Carolina Panthers.
It’s been a winter to forget for Watson, who was frozen out of the decision-making process in Houston which led to the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley. That prompted the 25-year-old Watson to request a trade.
The Texans have quite publicly said they have no interest it trading Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
However the Texans had no problem granting defensive end J.J. Watt’s request to be released.
In addition, the Detroit Lions granted quarterback Matthew Stafford’s request for a trade. So did the Philadelphia Eagles with Carson Wentz.
Yet Watson remains stuck in Houston, where he led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards this season, an incredible feat considering that one year ago, the Texans traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals.
Trading Watson won’t be easy. His four-year, $156 million contract contains a no-trade clause, according to ESPN. But one thing to keep in mind: According to Spotrac, Watson will earn a base salary of $10.5 million in 2021, while carrying a cap hit of $15.9 million. Both are team-friendly numbers for anyone looking to trade for the QB. And while his cap hit jumps in subsequent years, Watson’s contract can be renegotiated to mitigate his cost.
But until the Texans’ front office gives in, none of that matters.
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