The 49ers are interested or not interested in a trade for Deshaun Watson, depending who you believe.
Tuesday saw conflicting reports, although it should be noted, far more in the camp that the 49ers were not meeting with Watson’s camp, including one from Matt Maiocco, the longest tenured 49ers beat writer.
Perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle. That’s what veteran reporter Jim Trotter said on Twitter Wednesday, writing that while the 49ers are not currently in the Watson sweepstakes, there is a scenario where they could enter the fray.
Via Trotter:
Are the 49ers in on Deshaun Watson? Not at this point; it is not something they are pursuing. But there could be a scenario in which that changes. Let’s go through it.
First, Deshaun and his team would have to drive the bus and create an environment in which the 49ers believe they have a credible shot at landing DW. How is that done?
DW and his team would essentially have to tell HOU that he will only waive his no-trade for SF. Privately, DW has expressed an interest in playing for SF.
Then, DW and his team would have to broker a deal knowing that SF does not have the draft capitol that HOU desires. It could become a game of chicken then: DW couldn’t threaten to sit out a second season, but would he?
If Team Watson were to get HOU to reconsider its demands and create an environment in which SF has a legitimate chance of landing Watson, then the 49ers would be willing to engage b/c Watson is that good.
But at this time the 49ers are not interested in creating unnecessary drama. They like Trey Lance and are happy with him. But at the same time it could be considered foolish not to seriously look into Watson if a deal can be done.
The organization has no plans to meet with Watson at this point. And as I said earlier, they are not pursuing him. But … if he were to create a scenario in which he could fall into their laps — things would get interesting.
Basically, Watson would have to demand a trade to the 49ers, and Houston and San Francisco would have to agree to a deal, despite the fact that the 49ers don’t have the same assets as some of the other suitors for Watson. That might require another holdout from Watson.
The fact that Watson is reportedly interested in joining the 49ers makes this less than a pipe dream, but it doesn’t sound like Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch are interested in going after Watson unless he falls in their laps.
One can see how that makes sense. While Watson was not indicted on criminal charges, he still has 22 civil cases related to sexual misconduct that have yet to be sorted out. San Francisco also traded three first round picks for Trey Lance last season, and may want to get him in the starting role as soon as possible.