The saga between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans has been perhaps the biggest storyline of the offseason, and the latest NFL rumors only added fuel to that fire. According to NFL Networks’ Ian Rapoport, “no one believes” that the young gunslinger will be traded any time soon. In other news, Albert Brier believes that there is a very real chance that the Philadelphia Eagles add competition for second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts.
NFL Rumors: Deshaun Watson Won’t Be Traded, Jalen Hurts Might Not Be the Starter
The Deshaun Watson Rumors Continue
Deshaun Watson refuses to play for the Houston Texans, and the Houston Texans refuse to trade their young superstar. Neither side is willing to budge, and this stalemate could continue for quite some time. During an appearance on NFL Network, Ian Rapoport cited sources “knee deep” in the organization that said Watson is not for sale, and never will be. The beat reporter added that Houston is willing to wait throughout free agency and the NFL Draft, and the team hasn’t even entertained possible trade offers.
Watson, meanwhile, is no closer to coming back to Houston than he was at the beginning of the offseason. According to various reports, the quarterback finally met up with first-year head coach David Culley. However, during the meeting, Watson said that he will never come back to Houston and has no intention for playing for the franchise ever again.
This already-ugly situation is only going to get worse as the offseason progresses. The two sides are locked in to this high-stakes staring contest, and neither side wants to blink. If I were a betting man, I would assume that Deshaun Watson eventually comes back to Houston. Missing games means missing game checks, and Watson won’t want to miss out on those millions of dollars. Houston’s front office knows this as well, as the quarterback has a lot more to lose by holding out than the organization.
Jalen Hurts Might Have to Fight For the Starting Job
After the Philadelphia Eagles sent Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, most assumed that the starting quarterback job would go to Jalen Hurts. After all, the quarterback played well down the stretch and earned an opportunity to be the future of the franchise. However, according to SI’s Albert Breer, that might not happen in 2021.
Appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, the NFL analyst said that “it wouldn’t shock [him]” if Jalen Hurts is the clear-cut starter on May 1st, but it also wouldn’t surprise him if Philadelphia brings in some competition. Breer adds that, while it is possible this competition comes in the form of an experienced backup, the most likely scenario is that the Eagles draft one of Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, or Justin Fields.
Quarterback is the most important position in sports, and it’s not particularly close. However, as described in a previous article, the Eagles are probably better off riding with Hurts in 2021. Hurts showed enough to make you believe he could turn into the long-term answer, and the Philadelphia Eagles are not ready to compete next year. If Hurts succeeds, then the Eagels will probably be a .500 team. If, however, Hurts fails, then Philadelphia should have a top-five pick and the opportunity to find their face of the franchise in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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