5 dark horse teams who could trade for Deshaun Watson

All but a few teams can make a case to try to get him, but these five teams are dark horses to trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

After they traded wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for practically nothing last offseason, it’s not that shocking the Houston Texans are botching their relationship with the Deshaun Watson. But this week’s events, asking for his input but not even intending to interview his preferred head coaching candidate, escalated matters.

The Texans have hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager, which Watson was reportedly not thrilled with based on the process that led to the hire. Trading Watson is not easily considered, let alone done, unless Watson uses his leverage as the most important player on the team to avoid non-essential work.

During his introductory press conference Friday, Caserio professed obviously that “he’s our quarterback” in reference to Watson.

In reporting the idea Watson could ask for a trade this week, Pro Football Talk dismissed the notion that his contract makes him untradeable.

“Take a look at the contract. Trading him would result in a cap charge of $21.6 million. The Herschel-sized haul of draft picks that a Deshaun Watson trade would generate would more than justify it.”

This side of only a few teams, which I’m sure you can think of, the rest of the NFL can think about what it might take to acquire Watson.

An acquiring team (h/t to Pro Football Focus), would get five years of Watson, in his age 26-age 30 seasons, at the following cap numbers:

• 2021: $10.54 million
• 2022: $35 million
• 2023: $37 million
• 2024: $32 million
• 2025: $32 million

That looks like a bargain. Without further ado, though admittedly premised on the Texans listening at all or Watson more openly professing his discontent … here are five dark horse teams who could make a deal for the league’s reigning passing leader (4,823 yards).

If we’re being honest, the Bears should be kicking over all stones to get him if there’s even a hint  of Watson being available. They are one of the teams that botched it by not taking him in the 2017 draft, but at first glance, cap space is an issue that’s not easily resolved as they pursue replacements for Mitch Trubisky.

But if GM Ryan Nagy wants to save his job, he will have to make bold moves if he can. So draft picks are an easy thing to part with, and if the Texans would take Nick Foles (don’t laugh) and draft picks, cap space would open up. Trading defensive lineman Akiem Hicks would hurt the defense, but it would be worth it to secure a franchise quarterback and $10.5 million in cap space would be cleared.

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