Deshaun Watson Trade Rumors: “Nothing Firm Has Materialized”

Jay Glazer stirred the proverbial pot last weekend when he reported that the Texans’ hardline stance on what would constitute an acceptable return in a trade of Deshaun Watson “had started to soften.”

Naturally, hypothetical trades featuring the Texans sending their franchise quarterback to the Dolphins, Eagles, Broncos, and assorted other teams flared back up. Yesterday, Glazer further stoked the flames of speculation by advising fans to “[k]eep your eyes on this situation.”

Today, Josina Anderson expanded upon and somewhat quelled the speculation that a Watson trade could be imminent. Watch and listen for yourself:

While the Texans could certainly trade Deshaun Watson before the deadline in early November, doing so would require a combination of (1) the Texans deciding trading the QB now (as opposed to during the offseason, when Nick Caserio would know precisely where the 2022 draft picks Houston would acquire in such a deal actually fall) would be in the best interest of the organization AND (2) another team deciding bringing Watson aboard right now, despite all the uncertainty stemming from the sexual assault allegations pending against him, is worth both the risk and the price.

Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely? I still say no, even in the face of what could be a desperate Dolphins squad starting Jacoby Brissett at QB.