The Miami Dolphins will not be trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, according to numerous media reports. With the Dolphins out of the mix, Watson is fully expected to remain with the Texans for the rest of the season, only to be shopped again in the offseason.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wanted more clarity on Watson's legal situation before making a trade for the quarterback. There are 22 civil lawsuits filed against Watson for sexual misconduct, as well as 10 criminal complaints, though he hasn't been charged with anything.
With no resolution in sight to those legal issues, Ross didn't want to take the chance on Watson, who was ready to waive his no-trade clause for Miami. While Roger Goodell recently said Watson wasn't going to go on the Commissioner's Exempt List yet and could potentially be able to play if there was a trade, there was still just way too much risk to pull the trigger on a trade right now given the legal problems. There's still a chance of a suspension down the road, and it would also just feel wrong to trade for Watson under these circumstances.
Article Continues BelowWith Watson out of the picture for now, the slumping Dolphins will roll with Tua Tagovailoa for the rest of the season. A Watson trade still could be revisited in the offseason for Miami.
As for the Texans, they'll simply sit Watson for the rest of the season. In addition to his legal issues, he doesn't want to be there. He requested a trade before the legal matters came to light.