NEWSLETTER
Sometimes, life gives you second chances. An opportunity to get something right that you previously botched.
Perhaps this could be such an opportunity for the Chicago Bears (or some other quarterback-starved franchise):
There's a growing buzz in league circles that Deshaun Watson could ask to be traded, and his new contract doesn't make that as difficult as you'd think https://t.co/wvY5BxQZRq
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 7, 2021
Rumors are coming to the surface about the possibility of Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson asking for a trade this offseason. PFT’s Mike Florio writes he has heard that “Watson has quietly broached with teammates the possibility of requesting a trade.” Perhaps that is posturing from Watson. Something that is done in order to ensure his input is taken into consideration when Houston hires a new coach. Or maybe he is positioning himself to orchestrate his departure. Either way, it’s a situation worth monitoring.
Especially after Watson posted a cryptic “some things never change….” tweet on Tuesday after news of the Texans hiring Nick Caserio as the GM came out. The tweet has since been deleted.
And, yes, Watson signed a sizable contract extension this offseason, which, on the surface, could make it difficult for him to be dealt. HOWEVER … Florio insists the $21.6 million cap charge would be a small penance to pay because the haul of draft-pick capital that would come in return would certainly justify it. And while it’s way too early to think about which teams work as trade options, Florio lists the Bars as among the teams that are the most obvious fits (because, duh!).
Unloading the cupboard four years after trading up to not take Watson in the 2017 NFL Draft would be funny in a sad football kind of way. But that’s something the Bears should seriously consider should Watson become available.
Watson, 25, led the NFL in passing yards (4,823), posted his first 30-TD season, completed 70 percent of his passes, and posted a career-best 6.1 TD% and career-low 1.3 INT%. In other words, we’re talking about an elite quarterback at the peak of his powers who is hitting the prime of his career. So, yeah, the Bears – and most other teams in the NFL – should be willing to risk it all for that guy.
Stay tuned…
