Despite demanding a trade and dealing with dozens of lawsuits, the latest NFL rumors suggest that Houston Texans starting quarterback Deshaun Watson will be in town for the start of training camp. In other news, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will reportedly start the season on the active roster, while Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew doesn’t plan on giving up the starting job without a fight.
NFL Rumors: Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, Gardner Minshew
Deshaun Watson Will Report to Training Camp
The Deshaun Watson saga might just be the biggest storyline in one of the wildest offseasons in recent memory. The quarterback demanded a trade following the season and, a few weeks later, was on the receiving end of 22 lawsuits for alleged sexual misconduct. Watson has been relatively quiet over the past few months, but he is reportedly planning on coming back when Houston officially starts their training camp.
However, despite showing up to training camp, Watson’s desire to find a new NFL home remains as strong as ever. Thanks to the new CBA, any player holding out into training camp is subject to a $50,000 fine for every day they miss. Watson obviously doesn’t want to pay that, so this is purely a money-saving move.
Between Watson’s continued desire to be traded and his impending lawsuits, it’s hard to imagine him suiting up for the Houston Texans in 2021. If he does play, it will probably be for the Philadelphia Eagles. That being said, there is a very high chance that Watson will face some type of league discipline, regardless of what happens with the actual results of his lawsuits.
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Joe Burrow Will Not Start Season on PUP
Joe Burrow tore his ACL on November 22nd, but the quarterback appears to be on pace to play in Week 1. The Cincinnati Bengals placed several players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and the former first-overall pick was not included in the group. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport added that Burrow will be on the field and ready to go when workouts commence.
This is obviously huge news for Cincinnati, as Burrow’s rehab appears to be ahead of schedule. Burrow didn’t set the world on fire in the same way Justin Herbert did as a rookie, but he showed enough to believe he could be Cincinnati’s franchise savior. Starting and appearing in 10 games, the LSU product finished his season completing 65.3% of his passes for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Given an improved offensive line and a superstar wide receiver prospect in Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow should be even better in 2021 if he truly is healthy.
Gardner Minshew Not Giving Up Job Without A Fight
Trevor Lawrence is widely considered to be the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, and most expect the Clemson product to start on Day 1. However, incumbent starter Gardner Minshew isn’t ready to give up the job quite yet.
Speaking on Green Light with Chris Long, Minshew said that he “[hasn’t] taken a shit in weeks because number two isn’t an option.”
Gardner Minshew on the #Greenlight podcast with @JOEL9ONE said he is ready to compete with Trevor Lawrence during camp.
“Number 2 is not an option for me.” 💩💩💩 pic.twitter.com/3iCgS292Xq
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) July 25, 2021
While Minshew might not be the second coming of William Shakespeare, you have to admire his resolve. After taking over for an injured Nick Foles in 2019, Minshew has proven to be a perfectly adequate bridge quarterback. While you certainly hope for better in a franchise quarterback, he is capable of keeping a good team afloat.
Unfortunately for Minshew, he has not been on a good team. The 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars were an absolute train wreck, going 1-15 while securing the first-overall pick. It’s hard to imagine any world where he beats out Lawrence for the starting job and, barring a trade, appears locked into the backup job for the foreseeable future.
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