NFL Twitter was set ablaze on Wednesday afternoon by a report that a Deshaun Watson trade to the Miami Dolphins is in the works.
Mid-season NFL trades do not happen often. Mid-season NFL trades involving star quarterbacks are perfectly cooked steak rare. That is what is being rumored on Twitter Wednesday afternoon when John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans could have a deal done this week.
Texans, Dolphins could have Deshaun Watson deal done this week https://t.co/yhBcVi26Ds via @houstonchron
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 20, 2021
This news subsequently left NFL fans on Twitter flabbergasted and they reacted with shock, excitement, and many, many questions.
Matt Miller of The Draft Scout gives the report some credence but was curious if the NFL was going to allow Watson to play. Watson has impending off-the-field issues that have kept him from playing for Houston this season.
This report, unlike others, is from the very plugged in @McClain_on_NFL.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 20, 2021
But…would the NFL allow Watson to play this season? https://t.co/zlnqxJIGzT
Injecting some clarity into the situation is Dan Lust who is a sports attorney that has appeared on multiple platforms.
https://twitter.com/SportsLawLust/status/1450919766101831688
Some have speculated about where the reports are coming from. Both Miami and Houston are struggling. That is a tough pill to swallow for the Dolphins, who entered the season with playoff aspirations but are currently off to a 1-5 start through six games.
Ross has spoken excitedly about Watson trade to associates since this past spring, as we've reported for many months. Grier doing it now could help save Grier's job, like a lifeline to distract from poor drafting https://t.co/k77HcRyzFv
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 20, 2021
Fantasy football players were likely rushing to their waiver wires to see if Watson was available.
When you beat your league mates to Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/VV01XYfHJV
— OGPAULD (@depina_paul) October 20, 2021
This being Twitter meant that the memes were aplenty. Like this one at the expense of current Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
*Dolphins: Want to trade for Deshaun Watson*
— Joe Burrows Burgers (@BurgersBurrows) October 20, 2021
Tua after not even being a starter for a full season: pic.twitter.com/lQrCXg4h1M
Or this one that may make both Houston and Miami fans unhappy.
Deshaun Watson going from the Texans to the Dolphins: pic.twitter.com/zfQ3iH0Mlj
— jason⁵⁴ (@JasonDixon211) October 20, 2021
The jersey swaps, which were already out there en masse, continued as well.
https://twitter.com/james161723/status/1450918729760612359
Miami and Houston have until November 2, the NFL’s trade deadline, to complete any deal for Watson or subsequent deals involving players that would be needed to be moved to make the salary cap work. One thing is for sure, the fireworks on Twitter will keep coming.