Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges, which means that plenty of teams should be eager to trade for the young passer. Teams have shown time and time again that they’ll throw morality to the side if it means winning on Sunday, and there is no better way to win football games than by employing a good quarterback. Watson is one of the better on-field quarterbacks in the league, so several teams are likely trying to make a move.
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Five Teams That Could Trade For Deshaun Watson
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks recently traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, but they use their additional draft capital to secure the next face of their franchise. Watson’s no-trade clause could complicate matters here, but Seattle could sell him on working with a great wide receiver duo in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Seattle went 7-10 last year, but most of that had to do with Russell Wilson’s injured finger. With a good quarterback, this team could compete for a Wild Card spot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went all-in on Tom Brady, and that decision paid off with a Super Bowl championship. However, with the all-time great quarterback retired, the team is desperate for answers under center. While some believe Brady could come back in 2022, the Buccaneers shouldn’t bank on that happening. Watson would immediately solidify the position and make Tampa Bay clear divisional favorites in a weak NFC South.
Carolina Panthers
While the results haven’t been there, nobody has put more effort into solving the quarterback position than the Carolina Panthers. Over the past two years, the team has handed out a big contract to Teddy Bridgewater, traded three picks for Sam Darnold, and gave Cam Newton $10 million for half a season of work. The Panthers are clearly trying to do everything in their power to solve the game’s most important position and have reportedly been tied to Watson ever since his original trade request. Once again, Watson would need to waive his no-trade clause, but Carolina could sell him on DJ Moore, a young defense, and a weak division.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger was quite possibly the worst starting quarterback in the league last year, yet Mike Tomlin and the rest of the team still found a way to make it into the playoffs. This defense is loaded with playmakers at all three levels, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool form an excellent wide receiver duo, and Mike Tomlin is one of the NFL’s better head coaches. It also doesn’t hurt that the Steelers also employ Brian Flores, who reportedly has a strong relationship with Watson.
If you look closely, you can see the exact moment Ben Roethlisberger decided he was going to retire pic.twitter.com/UNiid1jDrS
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 4, 2021
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts brought the Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs last year, but the quarterback is still at the center of a lot of trade rumors. If the Eagles aren’t convinced that Hurts is their long-term answer under center, then the team has the draft ammunition needed to get a deal done. Philadelphia has three first-round picks in 2022, meaning that they have the resources to outbid anyone for the rights to Watson’s contract, should it come to that. On top of that, Houston could also be interested in bringing in Hurts to compete for the starting job.
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