Clayton: Twists and turns with both Rodgers and Watson as camps loom
Jul 26, 2021, 12:51 PM
The big NFL surprise on Sunday was Deshaun Watson reporting to the Houston Texans training camp. Watson still doesn’t want to be a Texan this season, but decided he didn’t want to lose money trying to get out of Houston.
It appears the Texans have indicated to the quarterback that they are willing to trade him. According to sources, the Texans are now willing to take offers for Watson.
It also appears the NFL is unlikely to put the QB on the commissioner’s exempt list, which would allow him to be paid while he’s not playing football. With no police charges against Watson, the NFL prefers to wait until there are rulings on the lawsuits against him.
Watson is facing 22 lawsuits from women claiming sexual misconduct. Watson isn’t going to be deposed until February 22, 2022. The cases may not hit the courts until May of next year.
If there is going to be a suspension, it may be more next year than this year.
Where does that leave the Broncos? If they wish to trade for Watson, they will have pay a big price. First, ownership has to decide if they are comfortable acquiring a player with so many sexual lawsuits against him. If they are willing to do it, it won’t be easy to make a trade.
The Texans may want as much a three first-round picks and two good players. The Broncos can find two good starters. The three first-round picks might be tough.
According to league rules, teams can’t trade first-round picks more than two years ahead. In other words, they couldn’t offer a 2024 first-round pick this year. So teams would have to get creative.
This puts the Philadelphia Eagles in the best position to get Watson. They have an extra first-round pick from the three-way trade involving the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. They also have an extra second-rounder that could upgrade to a No. 1 next year in the Carson Palmer trade.
As we get closer to Tuesday’s reporting to training camp, it appears Aaron Rodgers is going to stay in Green Bay this year. The Packers have to see if they will have to agree to trade him next year or put voids in his contract that could make him a free agent.
Plenty of news on the quarterback front.
