The story of Deshaun Watson is one of suspicion, media bias and harsh accusations. For a lack of better terms, there doesn't seem to be a happy ending to this case anytime soon. What there has been, is rising rumors of a trade to potentially get Deshaun out of Houston and back onto the football field.
Before the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Deshaun Watson made it clear he wanted to be traded from the lapsing Texans. The team had just replaced long-time head coach Bill O'Brien with the unproven David Culley and team captain J.J. Watt had similarly ousted his way out of the program soon after the end of the previous season.
Speaking of the previous season, Deshaun Watson had led the league in passing yards and put up an MVP-caliber year in 2020. He threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with over 70% of his passes completed. He added 444 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, solidifying himself as one of the best dual threats in the league.
Throwing even more gas into the fire that is the battle between Watson and the Texans, is the contract agreed before his amazing 2020 season to keep Watson there. The deal included 4 years with a total of $160 million and $111 million guaranteed. At the time this made Watson the second-highest paid player in NFL history.
Fast forward a year later and Watson remains involved in 22 civil lawsuits and has 8 accusers of criminal complaints of alleged sexual misconduct. He was recently subpoenaed to appear in front of a grand jury today March 11th, in a court date that could determine the fate of Watson as a man and as a quarterback in the NFL.
If found innocent, Watson would likely be eligible to return to play for the 2022 season. It's very unlikely he plays another snap for the Houston Texans however, and with the trade rumors heating up for Watson for multiple teams, a deal will likely be made in the next coming weeks.
Teams linked to Watson are the Panthers, Buccaneers and Dolphins amongst others. The trade haul for Watson will be significantly lower than it was before these allegations. Watson is a true elite talent, with a similar demand to the Russel Wilson trade to Denver. That trade included 2-1st's, 2-2nd's and 3 starting players. The haul for Watson will at least have a 1st rounder with a couple starters thrown in and a possible low-round pick.
Today's grand jury case will be the first ball to roll in this weird and bumpy case. Once we know more we can start to speculate on the continuing circus that is the 2022 Quarterback crousel around the NFL
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-Z.D.
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