Deshaun Watson trade rumors: Buccaneers, Seahawks among eight potential landing spots for Pro Bowl QB
The NFL quarterback marketplace picked up all kinds of steam within the days leading as much as 2022 loose organization, with the Packers preserving Aaron Rodgers, the Broncos landing Russell Wilson from the Seahawks, and the Colts delivering Carson Wentz to the Commanders. but another circulate — possibly the largest but — may want to nonetheless be on the manner.
Deshaun Watson trade rumors: Buccaneers, Seahawks among eight potential landing spots for Pro Bowl QB.
Embattled Texans QB Deshaun Watson, who’s reportedly been searching for an exchange for the reason that start of ultimate offseason, is a likelier candidate to be dealt after Friday’s prison proceedings in Houston, where a grand jury decided he’ll not face crook expenses for allegations of sexual misconduct in rub-down periods.
Watson nevertheless faces 22 civil proceedings alleging misconduct, in addition to ability NFL area, which does not ought to accompany crook expenses.
Suffice to say, honest or not, he does not come without risk.
From a soccer attitude, however, at 26 with 3 seasoned Bowls and a confirmed arm on his resume, he ought to still warrant a rewarding go back through the exchange.
Which teams could actually be inside the mix for the previous first-rounder?
Right here are the capacity landing spots, taken care of from least to most probably:
Out of the mixture
Those groups can also have considered Watson at one point, however, you could correctly cross them off the listing:
Broncos: GM George Paton promised to be aggressive in pursuit of an improvement, and he brought, landing Russell Wilson in the offseason’s biggest blockbuster deal.
Colts: They may use him as much as all of us, however, the Texans won’t deal him in the department. except, GM Chris Ballard would not be keen to hitch his wagon to a QB with a lot of bags after Carson Wentz’s messy cut-up.
Commanders: Refusing to accept mid-tier loose agents, they’ve already delivered their man in Eagles/Colts exile Carson Wentz.
Dolphins: GM Chris Grier has publicly confirmed as a lot, notwithstanding their stated longtime interest in the QB.
New educate Mike McDaniel seems in reality interested in developing Tua Tagovailoa in 2022.
Giants: Owner John Mara has explicitly ruled out the opportunity.
They might’ve struggled to have the funds for him besides.
Steelers: They’re reportedly now not interested, which jibes with the perception they are alternatively organized to throw more than one dart at QB inside the wake of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Wild cards
Don’t assume them touchdown Watson, but don’t absolutely rule them out, both:
Browns: They’ve devoted to Baker Mayfield getting one extra audition, but only until a clear, possible improvement provides itself.
GM Andrew Berry learned under competitive Eagles GM Howie Roseman, Cleveland has a little cap flexibility, and the roster already has the foundations of a playoff contender.
Jets: They may be flying manner under the radar here, and odds are they’ll stay with Zach Wilson just 365 days after choosing him No. 2 ordinary.
But they’re loaded with cap space ($48.5M), Watson reportedly likes to educate Robert Saleh, and they would get more of a confirmed issue at QB in a massive market-determined for better soccer.
Saints: Once again, they’re in terrible income-cap shape, but that hasn’t stopped GM Mickey Loomis from swinging big before.
After a year of middling stopgaps publish-Drew Brees, they may see the wide-open NFC South as an opportunity to pounce.
Vikings: New train Kevin O’Connell seems inquisitive about working with Kirk Cousins, however, new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has every purpose to keep the veteran and his $45M cap hit.
Watson, sans crook issues, could constitute a greater promising long-term funding for a group in transition. Plus, he’s reportedly inquisitive about Minnesota.
Favorites
Buccaneers: They have got cap hurdles to clear, however, GM Jason Licht located a way to pry Tom Brady from the Patriots and keep basically his whole high-quality Bowl-prevailing supporting cast.
With Bruce Arians desperate for a quick restoration submit-Brady, Watson is their remaining famous person alternative.
Watson, meanwhile, would likely sign off at the East Coast flow to a franchise that’ll do anything for its QB.
Eagles: Content, as they’ll be rolling with younger Jalen, Hurts for 2022, the Eagles have repeatedly refused to rule out a Watson move, all at the same time as reportedly investigating the QB over the last yr-plus.
Their 3 first-spherical choices give them plenty of ammo, and GM Howie Roseman is notoriously competitive. the largest issue: Watson is outwardly hesitant to visit Philly.
Panthers: Possibly no team with a closing QB emptiness is as determined as Carolina.
After failed mid-tier gambles, they want to go large, either via change or inside the draft.
And that they’ve reportedly had eyes on Watson for a while.
With over $26M in cap space, they could have the funds to make it paintings. As with Philly, but, the query lies with Watson’s willingness to enroll in a so-so group.
Seahawks: After unloading Russell Wilson, they have different executives satisfied they may be in on Watson, who might immediately supply them any other elite QB, no longer to say capacity lengthy-time period security.
They simply have the capital to make a deal, plus the cap space.
And Pete Carroll has controlled afflicted vets earlier than. however, is drafting a successor much more likely?
