John McClain calls for the Texans to trade Deshaun Watson
Feb 28, 2021, 10:23 PM | Updated: 10:25 pm
It’s finally time for the Houston Texans to accept reality — Deshaun Watson is not in their future.
Over the weekend John McClain, who has covered the Texans since their debut in 2002 and the Houston Oilers before that, wrote that the time has come to trade Watson.
McClain: It's time Texans entertain trade offers for Deshaun Watson https://t.co/6j3EyQvbPg via @houstonchron
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) February 28, 2021
While this idea and notion has floated around the sports media landscape for weeks, it’s important to realize how important McClain’s voice and opinion is. He covered the team since their debut and his words have a huge impact in Houston.
The column reads that it’s time for rookie general manager Nick Caserio and Co. to bring this situation to an end.
According to McClain, Watson (finally) met with coach David Culley over Zoom where the quarterback stood firm on his decision to be traded, even if that means losing millions in fines and unpaid salaries.
“The Texans appear willing to force Watson’s hand. That’s not a healthy way of doing business,” McClain wrote.
So what options do the Texans have?
Surely receiving the potential biggest haul for an NFL player in history sounds more enticing than letting Watson sit the year out.
McClain wrote that the team should pit the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets against each other to get the rivals to start a “bidding war” for the franchise quarterback, getting Houston much more in return.
“Add Watson to the Miami lineup after a 10-6 season, and the Dolphins might be favored to overthrow Buffalo … Add Watson to the Jets with new coach Robert Saleh, and they would earn immediate respect,” McClain wrote.
The Denver Broncos could still also be in the mix, but McClain questions whether that deal would make sense for Houston.
“Why trade for Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock or Jimmy Garoppolo and a pick in the 8-12 range when the Jets and Dolphins are both in the top three and also have a later first-round choice?” McClain wrote.
At the end of the day it’s time for the Texans to accept reality and start taking calls. Watson does not want to stay with the franchise and it sounds like nothing is going to change his mind.
So why make a decision that could have repercussions for years?
