From @NFLTotalAccess: What would it take to pry Deshaun Watson from the #Texans? A lot. pic.twitter.com/G5jt8OVEa8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2021
Deshaun Watson may or may not be on the market. Watson requested a trade from the Texans after being left out of the general manager and head coaching hiring process, after being assured he’d be involved.
But on Friday, the Texans at least put on a strong face, appearing as if they intend on holding Watson. They should do that, but Friday’s performance may have also been a leverage play.
New GM Nick Caserio said the team has “zero interest” in trading Watson and new head coach David Culley said of Watson, “The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he’s going to be a Houston Texan.”
Texans’ GM Nick Caserio: "Before we take a few questions: Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson. We have zero interest in trading the player."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2021
Still, not everyone is sold that the Texans will keep Watson, who may do everything he can to force his way out. If a trade does happen, though, it will cost a king’s ransom, as expected, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“The Houston Texans, if they do decide to trade Deshaun Watson, are going to get a trade package that is going to be, as you mentioned, unprecedented… This is probably going to rival some of the draft moves with multiple first rounders. You’re talking maybe not two, maybe three first-rounders and players. This is a generational quarterback.”
If you weren’t sold on Watson’s talent, for some reason, here’s a heat chart of his throws this past season against Jimmy Garoppolo’s.
Look at these gorgeous heat maps from @EthanCDouglas in this discussion of Jimmy G / Stafford / Watson / Ryanhttps://t.co/LrfojiDOe3 pic.twitter.com/ahxUPyItYU
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) January 29, 2021