<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Houston-mayor-sends-message-to-Deshaun-Watson-amid-trade-rumors.jpg"></figure><h1>Houston mayor sends message to Texans’ Deshaun Watson amid trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-25T11:28:07-08:00">January 25th, 11:28am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-25T11:28:59-08:00">January 25th, 11:28am</time><address><a>Marty Fenn</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The city of Houston has lobbied for the Texans to find a path toward repairing the relationship with quarterback Deshaun Watson.</p><p>Locals previously planned a march in support of Watson before the star signal-caller <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-message-to-fans-planning-march-amid-trade-rumors/" rel="noopener">implored organizers</a> to call off the march over health concerns. Now, the Mayor of Houston is making his own voice heard.</p><p>Sylvester Turner tweeted Monday he hopes the Texans and Watson can move forward together:</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Houston loves <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@deshaunwatson</a>  and the <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@HoustonTexans</a>. Houston is a great City that is hungry to back our players and team. As Mayor of a City that is second to none I pray we move forward together. st</p><p>— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/SylvesterTurner/status/1353440241466671105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>While the Mayor and citizens of Houston might hope Watson stays in town, it is looking increasingly likely there will be a breakup.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30770584/houston-texans-coaching-decision-affect-deshaun-watson-desire-leave-sources-say">Adam Schefter of ESPN</a> reported Sunday the team’s head coaching decision is unlikely to have any impact on Watson’s trade demands. It appears the star QB is still perturbed by the team’s failure to consult him prior to hiring general manager Nick Caserio, in addition to the continued influence of Jack Easterby.</p><p>Whether the Texans feel comfortable moving Watson remains to be seen. Schefter noted the team has reportedly had “internal” conversations about potential trade partners. For his part, Watson <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article248718210.html">reportedly</a> wants to play for either the New York Jets or Miami Dolphins.</p><p>The Jets could have one of the stronger packages to eventually nabbing Watson, considering New York owns the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. But again, there is no guarantee the Texans are truly committed to pursuing trade avenues for their franchise quarterback.</p><p>It appears the whole city of Houston is on Watson’s side, including Mayor Turner. But the Texans have been on a different type of time all offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Houston mayor sends message to Texans’ Deshaun Watson amid trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Michael-Thomas-appears-to-take-shot-at-Drew-Brees-while-watching-NFC-Championship-Game.jpg"></figure><h1>Saints WR Michael Thomas appears to take shot at Drew Brees while watching NFC Championship Game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-24T13:57:48-08:00">January 24th, 1:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-24T13:57:48-08:00">January 24th, 1:57pm</time><address><a>David Bernal</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas took a veiled shot at veteran quarterback Drew Brees and his lack of arm strength on Sunday while watching the NFC Championship Game.</p><p>After failing to record a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week during the team’s loss in the divisional round, Thomas <a href="https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1353445194188922880">appeared to suggest</a> that it was Brees’ inability to throw the ball down the field that allowed the defense to smother him in coverage.</p><p>Clearly, Thomas won’t be among those mourning should Brees decide to retire.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anyone can cover you if you running a shallow cross all day just play underneath they not throwing over your head.</p><p>— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1353445194188922880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>After <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomMi05.htm">accruing 149 receptions</a> last season to go along with nine touchdowns and over 1,700 yards, Thomas entered the 2020 NFL season widely regarded as one of the best offensive weapons in the game. Unfortunately for the Saints, Thomas could not duplicate his all-world performance from last year while putting up career lows in catches, yards, and games played. His career seemed to reach a low-point during the match against Tampa Bay when he not only <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/saints-news-nfl-twitter-clowns-michael-thomas-for-0-catch-game-buccaneers/">failed to record a catch</a> but could not create separation amidst the secondary and was only targeted by Brees four times.</p><p>According to Thomas, however, his lack of success is as much Brees’ fault as his own.</p><p>With the quarterback no longer possessing the arm strength to stretch the defense and provide his receivers added space to operate, Thomas pointed out that this allowed defensive backs to anticipate the action and work on the inside zone. Though he may have a point when it comes to the Saints offense’s predictability and the effect it had on his production, it also doesn’t excuse the degree to which he was rendered a non-factor against the Bucs.</p><p>If Thomas is to return to the form that once made him a superstar, he’ll have to find ways to succeed regardless of who is under center.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Saints WR Michael Thomas appears to take shot at Drew Brees while watching NFC Championship Game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ranking-the-best-possible-Deshaun-Watson-trade-offers-from-Jets-Dolphins.jpg"></figure><h1>Ranking best possible Deshaun Watson trade offers from Jets, Dolphins</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-24T12:33:48-08:00">January 24th, 12:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-24T12:34:21-08:00">January 24th, 12:34pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Deshaun Watson trade drama is at an all-time high, and whether or not he is the quarterback for the Houston Texans next season remains to be seen.</p><p>A report came out Saturday saying Watson prefers to play with either the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-deshaun-watson-picks-top-2-choices-for-trade-targets/">New York Jets or Miami Dolphins,</a> and the fact that he has a full no-trade clause makes it more difficult for the Texans.</p><p>While others could swoop in and make compelling offers to the Texans, Watson doesn’t seem too excited to play elsewhere — at least according to the latest reports.</p><p>So, who has the better offer between the Jets and Dolphins, and which one should the Texans take if they indeed decide to pull the trigger?</p><h2>Jets offer No. 2 and No. 27 in 2021 NFL Draft, two first-round picks in 2022, Sam Darnold</h2><p>Sure, Sam Darnold might not make a ton of sense, but he could still be a serviceable starter and could bridge the gap if the Texans wanted to go that route.</p><p>Nonetheless, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-the-expected-draft-haul-deshaun-watson-trade-revealed/">rumored draft haul</a> for Deshaun Watson is at least three firsts, and Houston would get four in this deal.</p><p>The second overall pick is a huge asset, and they could grab <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2021-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-zach-wilson-to-jets" rel="noopener">Justin Fields or Zach Wilson</a> to be the face of the franchise for the future.</p><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ohio-State-QB-Justin-Fields-reacts-to-possibility-of-opting-out-of-2020-season.jpg"></figure><p>The Texans have traded away a lot of talent in recent years — DeAndre Hopkins the most surprising — so they aren’t in win-now mode and could definitely use the extra draft picks. After all, they are without a first- and second-rounder in the 2021 NFL Draft, so adding assets might be beneficial for the new Texans regime.</p><p>They could use Darnold or flip him to another quarterback-needy team to acquire even more draft assets.</p><p>The two firsts in 2022 (one is from the Jamal Adams trade) would also be nice, especially if the Jets end up outside the playoff picture.</p><p>Four first-rounders — including No. 2 overall this year — plus Sam Darnold would be hard for the Texans to pass up, and it sure seems like Watson would love to play for the Jets and new head coach Robert Saleh.</p><h2><b>Dolphins offer Tua Tagovailoa, No. 3 and No. 18 in 2021 NFL Draft, 2022 first-round pick, 2022 third-round pick</b></h2><p>Another huge package, and Deshaun Watson is definitely worth it.</p><p>It’s not very often a top-tier quarterback becomes available, especially at the age of 25. Even though the Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa as their face of the franchise last year, the potential to add Watson is too good to pass up.</p><p>The Dolphins and Texans have been trading partners before. They swapped Laremy Tunsil for the Texans’ 2021 first, which is allowing the Dolphins to select third overall in April.</p><p>That pick would go back to the Texans along with Tua and the 18th overall pick, so Houston could definitely benefit from two top-20 picks in the upcoming draft.</p><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Tua-Tagovailoa-Deshaun-Watson-TexansDolphins.jpg"></figure><p>As for Tua, the former Alabama quarterback had an up-and-down first season in the NFL, repeatedly getting benched for journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Dolphins just barely missed the playoffs.</p><p>Still, Watson is a sure thing and a stud, and Tagovailoa has questions and injury history, so this would be an easy deal for the Dolphins to make.</p><p>For the Texans, they would get a franchise quarterback and the third overall pick — perhaps Oregon lineman Penei Sewell.</p><p>The Texans would also get back into the first in 2022 and would be excited to have draft picks before round three in 2021.</p><h2><b>Better offer?</b></h2><p>Both of these offers are huge for good reason. The question for the Texans is would they rather have Tua or Fields as their quarterback?</p><p>The head coach position is still vacant, so they might wait until they hire a coach before making a deal. However, the Jets’ offer might be a bit better for the Texans.</p><p>Houston can select the player it wants at No. 2, whether it’s a quarterback or not. They would also get an extra first in 2021 and a pair of firsts next year, which is needed for a team in rebuild mode.</p><p>While the Dolphins’ offer is also tantalizing, the doubts and concerns about Tua might scare off Houston.</p><p>Either way, Houston will get a massive haul for Deshaun Watson if a trade is made.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ranking best possible Deshaun Watson trade offers from Jets, Dolphins

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/texans-news-deshaun-watsons-decision-to-leave-houston-not-contingent-on-houstons-choice-of-head-coach.jpg"></figure><h1>Deshaun Watson’s decision to leave Texans not contingent on choice of head coach</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-24T10:45:40-08:00">January 24th, 10:45am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-24T10:46:06-08:00">January 24th, 10:46am</time><address><a>Immanuel Canicosa</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Deshaun Watson knows that even as the other coaching vacancies in the NFL have been filled, the search for the Houston Texans’ new head coach continues, even if former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien was the first one to be fired this season.</p><p>But even as the Texans practice patience regarding their head coaching search, whoever will be hired will have the task of trying to convince quarterback Deshaun Watson to stay with the ream, as he has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks. However, the result of the head coaching search will not have any bearing on whether or not Watson stays with the Texans, <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1353397824654868481">according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">As <a href="https://twitter.com/mortreport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@mortreport</a> reported on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown, the Texans' head coaching hire is not expected to change Deshaun Watson's thinking. He still is expected to want out of Houston, no matter who the head coach is, per sources.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1353397824654868481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Texans have already interviewed <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/texans-interview-josh-mccown-jim-caldwell-for-vacant-head-coaching-job">several coaching candidates</a>, such as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, and <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/nfl-rumors-deshaun-watson-wants-trade-no-matter-texans-head-coach">will have a second interview with Bieniemy</a> after the AFC Championship Game between the Chiefs and Bills.</p><p>However, it seems that none of these candidates will be able to change Watson’s mind after a season that saw Houston finish with a 4-12 record and miss the playoffs. Despite the Texans’ lackluster record, the 25-year old signal-caller still had a strong third season, completing 382 of 544 passes for a career-best 4.823 passing yards and 33 touchdowns with seven interceptions, which earned him a third straight Pro Bowl selection.</p><p>A report even surfaced<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-deshaun-watson-picks-top-2-choices-for-trade-targets/"> detailing Watson’s preferred destinations</a> if he was to be traded, with the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins being among them, making it apparent that not even an end to their coaching search can repair the relationship between the quarterback and the team that drafted him, the Houston Texans. There will be some major transactions involving quarterbacks in the coming months, but the Deshaun Watson trade we’re likely to see is the most unnecessary and preventable one of all. The Houston franchise simply didn’t take care of its most important player.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Deshaun Watson’s decision to leave Texans not contingent on choice of head coach

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Deshaun-Watson-picks-top-2-choices-for-trade-targets.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Texans QB Deshaun Watson picks top 2 choices for trade targets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-23T11:56:01-08:00">January 23rd, 11:56am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-23T11:56:01-08:00">January 23rd, 11:56am</time><address><a>Isaac Doctor</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There is more fuel to the fire that is Deshaun Watson trade talks. <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article248718210.html">Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald</a> reports that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans">Houston Texans</a> star quarterback is not pleased with his team’s situation and has a ranking for which two teams he’d like to play.</p><p>The first is the New York Jets. This was actually the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-news-richard-shermans-strong-message-to-deshaun-watson-on-where-he-should-request-trade/">recommendation</a> of Super Bowl winner Richard Sherman of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers">San Francisco 49ers</a>. Sherman added that with Watson, their offensive line and future addition they would be AFC contenders.</p><p>Apparently, one of Watson’s reasons for this choice is new Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Watson believes in Saleh so much that he wanted him interviewed for the Texans head coach position. Saleh is esteemed by several players around the NFL.</p><p>Watson’s second choice is, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-one-team-sticking-out-deshaun-watson-trade-sweepstakes/">surprisingly</a>, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins">Miami Dolphins</a>. Any team that would trade for Watson would have to give up a king’s ransom. The Jets package can be centered around their No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2021 draft, while Miami’s would <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-the-expected-draft-haul-deshaun-watson-trade-revealed/">most likely involve</a> a swap with 2020 No. 2 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa.</p><p>It is interesting to note that Deshaun Watson has been spotted in New York. Of course, there is a possibility that he is talking with the Jets. Meanwhile, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is based in New York. Should any representative of those teams meet with the quarterback without the Texans’ permission they would be liable to tampering.</p><p>Only once in a blue moon does a young, elite quarterback possibly become available in the market. Watson is more than good enough to change a franchise’s fortunes.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Texans QB Deshaun Watson picks top 2 choices for trade targets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Texans-news-QB-who-played-in-2019-playoffs-interviews-for-Houston-head-coaching-job-Thumbnail.jpg"></figure><h1>QB who played in 2019 playoffs interviewed for Texans head coaching job</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-22T13:40:57-08:00">January 22nd, 1:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-22T13:40:57-08:00">January 22nd, 1:40pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans have been making headlines for the wrong reasons as star quarterback Deshaun Watson has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-sends-out-cryptic-message-amid-trade-rumors/">grown unhappy</a> with the organization.</p><p>However, the Texans are still searching for a head coach and are the last team remaining with a vacancy for the main job.</p><p>The candidates are aplenty for the Texans, and it turns out the franchise completed an interview with a former player, Josh McCown—who last played quarterback in a 2019 playoff game, per <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1352727570110930947">NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="und">👀👀👀 <a href="https://t.co/xVEC4cHjpM" target="_blank">https://t.co/xVEC4cHjpM</a></p><p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1352727570110930947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Yes, Josh McCown, former NFL quarterback not more than two years removed from a playoff game for the Philadelphia Eagles.</p><p>McCown actually signed with the Texans back in Nov. 2020, so interviewing a guy not even months removed from the league might be surprising, but surely the Texans will <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1352728155648389123">surround him</a> with talent.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Texans</a> are exploring the idea of Josh McCown as head coach but would surround him with at least one former head coach on the staff. Again, not as crazy as it might seem to go from player to head coach. And if anybody can do it, McCown can.</p><p>— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1352728155648389123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>McCown might be a fantastic head coach, and as the candidates start to dwindle, the search gets harder and harder for Houston—especially with their ongoing drama with Watson.</p><p>However, the Texans’ job has quickly gone from bad to worse due to the current situation with their franchise quarterback.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">One league source connected to the Texans' HC situation said Saturday: "It's gone from the least desirable head coaching job (opening) to the most undesirable head coaching job in the NFL. That's a fact. That's how that job is now looked at by everybody."</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1350874534195453952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Hiring a guy like McCown might not be a terrible idea, as the journeyman quarterback has a tremendous amount of experience playing and mentoring guys as well.</p><p>The Texans also reportedly had their eyes on Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, but Bienemy and Kansas City are gearing up for another potential trip to the Super Bowl. The team also just completed an interview with Jim Caldwell for the head coaching position.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Houston Texans have continued discussions about the vacant Head Coach position with Jim Caldwell and Josh McCown.</p><p>— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1352727967785492487?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 22, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>As the situation in Houston is shaky regarding Watson, the Texans need to find a head coach, and hiring McCown just might work out for a franchise that doesn’t have much to lose as it is.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

QB who played in 2019 playoffs interviewed for Texans head coaching job

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Alabama-Nick-Saban.jpg"></figure><h1>Alabama’s Nick Saban hires ex-Texans coach Bill O’Brien for vacant offensive coordinator post</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-21T16:35:09-08:00">January 21st, 4:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-21T16:35:36-08:00">January 21st, 4:35pm</time><address><a>Skyler Carlin</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NCAA Football</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Bill O’Brien has had time to mull over his options since being ousted by the Houston Texans and it appears he’s found his next destination. According to the official Twitter account of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban has <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1352398267968090114?s=20">officially hired</a> O’Brien as his next offensive coordinator.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Welcome to Tuscaloosa!</p><p>🗒️: <a href="https://t.co/FSSQCFYeoY" target="_blank">https://t.co/FSSQCFYeoY</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BamaFactor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#BamaFactor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RollTide?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#RollTide</a> <a href="https://t.co/4okPneK95l" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/4okPneK95l</a></p><p>— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaFTBL/status/1352398267968090114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Saban was in need of a new offensive coordinator after Steve Sarkisian left Alabama in favor of accepting the head coaching job at Texas. Besides holding the title of offensive coordinator, O’Brien will also be the quarterbacks coach at Alabama.</p><p>Following the news becoming official, O’Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1352400395071594496?s=20">shared how he felt</a> on receiving a chance to coach under Saban in the upcoming college football season, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bill O'Brien: ''I am honored and excited to join Coach Saban's staff at The University of Alabama. I have an incredible amount of admiration for the rich football tradition at this University and the success Coach Saban has had during his time in Tuscaloosa."</p><p>— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1352400395071594496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Back in October, O’Brien was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-bill-obrien-speaks-out-after-getting-fired-houston/">fired</a> as the head coach of the Texans after posting an 0-4 record to begin the 2020 campaign. Along with being the head coach, Houston granted O’Brien the power to be the general manager of the Texans, which ended up costing him his job.</p><p>The mind-boggling trade of DeAndre Hopkins and the expensive trade for Laremy Tunsil was just a couple of moves that led to O’Brien’s demise. While he’ll be demoted to a college program in Alabama, O’Brien has experience coaching student-athletes. Before becoming the head coach of the Texans in 2014, O’Brien was the head coach at Penn State from 2012-2013.</p><p>In recent seasons, when coaches fail in the NFL, some of them have accepted jobs under Saban in hopes it leads to an opportunity elsewhere. Besides O’Brien, Saban also hired Doug Marrone as his offensive line coach. Marrone was fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this month.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Alabama’s Nick Saban hires ex-Texans coach Bill O’Brien for vacant offensive coordinator post

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cal.jpg"></figure><h1>Texans owner privately apologizes to Deshaun Watson amid trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-21T15:24:05-08:00">January 21st, 3:24pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-21T15:24:05-08:00">January 21st, 3:24pm</time><address><a href="https://theknickswall.com">Reid Goldsmith</a>Managing Editor, The Knicks Wall. Cornell University grad, writer and editor.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Texans owner Cal McNair has reportedly personally apologized to star quarterback Deshaun Watson, per <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/The-Deshaun-Watson-trade-market-How-much-is-15886286.php">Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle</a>. McNair privately extended his apologies amid organizational dysfunction for the Texans, who find themselves in an almost-untenable position of their franchise signal-caller pulling away.</p><blockquote>“McNair has apologized privately to Watson while publicly acknowledging the need for better communication,” Wilson writes. “Watson became upset at not being involved in the hiring process for a general manager and coach after McNair assured him he would. The Texans hired Nick Caserio as GM and are still searching for a coach.”</blockquote><p>Watson, 25, led the NFL in <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WatsDe00.htm">passing yards</a> in 2020-21 while the Texans ended the campaign with a disappointing 4-12 record. It started with the firing of head coach Bill O’Brien, who in the past traded away star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins—Watson’s top pass-catching target.</p><p>While interim head coach Romeo Crennel did an admirable job in Houston, the Texans were, at times, noncompetitive and failed to reach the postseason. The AFC South club is still searching to fill their head-coaching vacancy; many around the league view the position as a very unattractive spot due to the Deshaun Watson drama.</p><p>Watson’s frustrations with the Texans were exacerbated when he was not consulted on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-hijacking-patriots-guru-nick-caserio-dynasty-crumbles/">decision to hire</a> a new general manager in former longtime Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio.</p><p>While the star quarterback out of Clemson has put out <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-sends-out-cryptic-message-amid-trade-rumors/">several cryptic messages</a> across the web since Caserio’s hire, Texans owner McNair’s apology could be the first step in mending the relationship between QB and franchise in the hope to prevent trading away the centerpiece.</p><p>Previously, McNair was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-houston-owner-awaiting-reply-from-deshaun-watson-over-supposed-possible-breakup/">awaiting a reply</a> from Watson after texting the passer.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Texans owner privately apologizes to Deshaun Watson amid trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/NFL-Draft-prospect-Justin-Fields-following-in-Deshaun-Watson_s-footprints-Thumbnail.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL Draft prospect Justin Fields following in Deshaun Watson’s footprints</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-21T13:15:15-08:00">January 21st, 1:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-21T13:15:15-08:00">January 21st, 1:15pm</time><address><a>Marty Fenn</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Ohio State Buckeyes star quarterback and 2021 NFL Draft prospect Justin Fields is signing on with the same agency representing Houston Texans signal-caller Deshaun Watson.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1352352341681451009">Adam Schefter of ESPN</a> reported Fields has signed with Athletes First and agent David Mulugheta.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ohio State QB Justin Fields has signed for representation with Athletes First and agent David Mulugheta, who also reps Deshaun Watson.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1352352341681451009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 21, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Mulugheta likely has his hands full trying to navigate the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-sends-out-cryptic-message-amid-trade-rumors/">Watson trade saga</a> and a calamitous situation in Houston. But he has added another star client to the mix ahead of the NFL Draft.</p><p>Fields is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board after Clemson quarterback and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. He guided the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they ultimately came up short against a historically good Alabama squad.</p><p>The former Georgia recruit developed into a star at OSU. Fields threw for over 3,200 yards and 41 touchdowns against just three interceptions in his first season with the Buckeyes. He was every bit as good in 2020, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns in eight games.</p><p>Fields is a strong pocket passer, but he also excels at using his legs to make plays. He rushed for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns in his sophomore season before racking up nearly 400 yards and averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the ground in 2020.</p><p>Just where Fields will end up is something of a mystery. Multiple teams picking in the top 10 could be looking for a franchise quarterback of the future. These include the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos. Of course, at least three of those teams have big decisions to make with respect to their current quarterbacks.</p><p>In any case, Mulugheta could well market Fields as having a similar skill set to his other star client ahead of this April’s draft.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL Draft prospect Justin Fields following in Deshaun Watson’s footprints

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Tua-Tagovailoa-Deshaun-Watson-TexansDolphins.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: Texans do not view Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa as potential Deshaun Watson replacement</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-21T08:57:55-08:00">January 21st, 8:57am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-21T09:00:23-08:00">January 21st, 9:00am</time><address><a>Dave Monaco</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Deshaun Watson <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-blockbuster-deshaun-watson-trades-that-texans-need-ranked/">trade</a> rumors continue to swirl as the Houston Texans prepare for next season. The superstar quarterback has apparently spoken to teammates about requesting a trade out of Houston and the media hasn’t stopped talking about it since. The Miami Dolphins, who have Tua Tagovailoa are a rumored destination for Watson. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-and-deshaun-watson-situation-keeps-getting-more-interesting">League sources</a> say that Miami is the preferred destination for Watson, and is a team that he would lift his no-trade-clause for.</p><p>The idea behind these hypothetical trades to Miami was that the Dolphins would send back Tua Tagavailoa and an abundance of draft capital in return.</p><p>That narrative, however, is reportedly false.</p><p>According to the<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/The-Deshaun-Watson-trade-market-How-much-is-15886286.phphttps://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo"> Houston Chronicle</a>, the Texans do not view Tua as an adequate replacement for Watson, and would likely want to select a quarterback in this year’s draft like Justin Fields or Zach Wilson.</p><p>This makes things even more interesting going into the offseason.</p><p>The Texans should look to keep Watson as a first option, but if they are forced to trade him, high draft picks are what they’re looking for in return.</p><p>Miami still has the third overall pick, which actually belonged to Houston before the Laremy Tunsil trade, so Miami can’t be completely ruled out as a potential landing spot for Deshaun Watson. Without Tua in this deal, the Dolphins are put in an increasingly difficult position.</p><p>If the Dolphins acquire Watson with Tua Tagovailoa still on their roster, they’ll be put in a position where they’ll probably need to unload Tua. In that case, the return for the Alabama quarterback will be a fraction of what it is now.</p><p>Nothing is set in stone as to where Watson ends up, but it’s looking more and more like it won’t be in a Texans uniform next season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: Texans do not view Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa as potential Deshaun Watson replacement

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Texans-rumors-The-expected-draft-haul-in-a-Deshaun-Watson-trade-revealed-Thumbnail.jpg"></figure><h1>The expected draft haul for Texans in a Deshaun Watson trade, revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-20T14:01:16-08:00">January 20th, 2:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-20T14:01:16-08:00">January 20th, 2:01pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans and star quarterback Deshaun Watson have been making headlines in 2021, and not for good reasons.</p><p>Watson was unhappy that he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-relationship-with-houston-takes-severe-turn-during-coaching-gm-searches/">wasn’t involved in the general manager hiring</a>, and reports indicated that the relationship between Watson and the franchise is beyond repair.</p><p>Trade rumors have been floating about everywhere—with the Tua Tagovailoa–Watson swap discussed among many—but nobody knows what’s going to happen with the Texans’ situation.</p><p>While rumored packages include multiple picks and players, some execs think Watson is worth all the hype and all the proposed picks.</p><p><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/30744455/deshaun-watson-trade-value-destinations-plus-houston-texans-do-next">Jeremy Fowler of ESPN</a> reported the following:</p><blockquote>Technically, no player since Herschel Walker has garnered three first-rounders. That would definitely change with Watson, several evaluators say.“Oh yeah — he’s worth at least that,” one NFC exec said. “The haul would be pretty insane.”NFL front-office personnel are unanimous in this, with several saying additional draft capital might be necessary. It largely depends where the picks in the first round might fall. Many pointed out that if Adams, Ramsey and Tunsil garnered two firsts, Watson should get far more because of the importance of the quarterback position.</blockquote><p>The haul for Watson is going to be massive, and it could potentially be worth it.</p><p>Watson threw for a career-high 4,823 yards with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2020, and the talented 25-year-old Texans passer will only be getting better in the coming years.</p><p>Players like Watson don’t become available that often—and he will have to waive his no-trade clause to make it work.</p><p>Who ends up trading for Watson, if he indeed does go elsewhere to play? Or will the relationship between Watson and the Texans be repaired?</p><p>After all, Watson is arguably a top-five quarterback in the league, and trading him would put the Texans further down in their rebuild attempt.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The expected draft haul for Texans in a Deshaun Watson trade, revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Richard-Sherman-Deshaun-Watson.jpg"></figure><h1>Richard Sherman’s strong message to Deshaun Watson on where he should request trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-20T13:56:37-08:00">January 20th, 1:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-20T13:57:08-08:00">January 20th, 1:57pm</time><address><a>Michael Corvo</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Deshaun Watson has not formally requested a trade from the Houston Texans (at least not publicly), though some sources believe that Watson has <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30730733/sources-believe-deshaun-watson-played-last-snap-houston-texans">taken his final snap</a> in Houston.</p><p>Watson is not only <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-turns-trade-rumor-smoke-into-fire/">displeased</a> with various moves made by the Texans front office — particularly owner Cal McNair — in recent years, but he’s <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/30670344/houston-texans-qb-deshaun-watson-bothered-team-hiring-process-sources-say">reportedly grown increasingly frustrated</a> by the organization’s consistent refusal to take his input into consideration.</p><p>On The Chris Collinsworth Podcast, co-host and San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman shared his take on where he believes Watson should next take his talents.</p><blockquote>“If I was Deshaun, I would get out of there as quickly as possible. I’d head to New York,” Sherman <a href="https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/144267-49ers-richard-sherman-suggests-deshaun-watson-leaves-texans/">told Collinsworth</a> and co-host George Chahrouri. “… The Jets. It would be the most beautiful [situation]. A decent offensive line. They’d have to find threats. They’d have to find some offensive weapons. But I think there would be a lot more people excited to be there.</blockquote><p>The Jets own the no. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a treasure trove of future draft picks, which they could include in a trade package for Watson, along with 23-year old QB Sam Darnold.</p><p>New York recently hired former Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to be their next head coach, with whom Sherman is clearly familiar.</p><blockquote>“They’re going to be able to put a team together, and if [Watson is] at the helm, they immediately become a contender in not only that division but the AFC in general,” Sherman added.</blockquote><p>Sherman is not the only star to encourage Watson to rid himself of the dysfunction with the Texans. Following the team’s Week 17 loss, franchise legend J.J. Watt apologized to his teammate on behalf of the Houston organization.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'm sorry, we wasted one of your years."</p><p>Watt to Watson after a tough season. <a href="https://t.co/mcTVK3ZeJG" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/mcTVK3ZeJG</a></p><p>— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLFilms/status/1346506627239845888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 5, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Even the famously quiet Andre Johnson — who starred in Houston from 2003-15 — used his first non-sponsored Twitter post since Apr. 2019 to criticize the Texans.</p><blockquote>“If I’m <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson">@deshaunwatson</a> I will stand my ground,” Johnson wrote. “The Texans organization is known for wasting players careers. Since Jack Easterby has walk into the building nothing good has happened in/for the organization and for some reason someone can’t seem to see what’s going on. Pathetic!!!”</blockquote><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">When Dre speak listen. <a href="https://t.co/hMdP2rsUJr" target="_blank">https://t.co/hMdP2rsUJr</a></p><p>— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeAndreHopkins/status/1349090648297771011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 12, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Two AFC East rivals of the Jets —<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-best-trade-destinations-for-deshaun-watson-ranked/"> the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots</a> (as well as every team without a franchise QB) — should call Houston about the 25-year old Watson, too. Miami could entice the Texans brass by offering a package featuring QB Tua Tagovailoa and draft picks.</p><p>The Jets are projected to have roughly $70 million in cap space this offseason, <a href="https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/">per Over the Cap</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Richard Sherman’s strong message to Deshaun Watson on where he should request trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/texans-news-deshaun-watsons-message-to-fans-planning-march-to-get-him-to-stay.jpg"><figcaption>These three organizations could make a move for Watson.</figcaption></figure><h1>3 best trade destinations for Deshaun Watson, ranked</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-19T12:48:45-08:00">January 19th, 12:48pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-19T13:27:57-08:00">January 19th, 1:27pm</time><address><a>Matt Wadleigh</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson are seemingly at an impasse. While reports came out that Watson was upset about the lack of involvement regarding the general manager for the Texans, there’s a possibility the star quarterback is playing elsewhere come September.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization that Deshaun Watson has played his last snap for the team. It’s early in the off-season, there’s a lot of time left, but Watson’s feelings cannot and should not be underestimated.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1350877652291383300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The Texans are still searching for a new head coach, but the relationship <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-news-deshaun-watson-sends-out-cryptic-message-amid-trade-rumors/">between Watson and the franchise</a> has not made this an easy process. What’s even more difficult is the fact that Watson has a full no-trade clause, so he can essentially choose where he goes or where he doesn’t go.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deshaun Watson negotiating for a no-trade clause in his extension is critical. The Texans can't just send him to football Siberia; he has to approve the location. <a href="https://t.co/Gi0qgryzDR" target="_blank">https://t.co/Gi0qgryzDR</a></p><p>— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) <a href="https://twitter.com/by_JBH/status/1350880011759230977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>With all that being said, let’s take a look at the best destination for Deshaun Watson.</p><h2><b>3. Miami Dolphins</b></h2><p>This makes too much sense, not just for the Dolphins but also for Watson.</p><p>The ex-Clemson star would be joining a near-playoff team from 2020. The Dolphins’ defense was sensational, and head coach Brian Flores has the city of Miami buzzing with excitement. They were one game from making the playoffs and had some key injuries to their offense this past season.</p><p>Watson would come in and immediately put this team in contention for the AFC East title, even with the success of the Buffalo Bills.</p><p>What’s even better for Deshaun Watson is he could solely be the face of the franchise, and jerseys would sell at an all-time high with an addition of this magnitude.</p><p><a href="https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/nfl/2021/01/17/schad-dolphins-cant-ignore-deshaun-watson-noise-opportunity/4198083001/">While the Tua for Watson swap has been rumored</a>, the deal makes sense for both sides, but Watson would surely love to go to Miami and take over a team that is already a playoff contender in 2021 and beyond.</p><h2><b>2. New England Patriots</b></h2><p>Can you imagine Bill Belichick working with a guy like Deshaun Watson?</p><p>While Watson is upset that he didn’t have a say in the GM hiring, he might not care if he goes to New England. The Patriots are the dynasty NFL team of the century, and Belichick and Robert Kraft have shown their ability to remain competitive for the last two decades.</p><p>Watson would have a chance to compete for a title, and the Patriots are in desperate need of a quarterback (sorry Jarrett Stidham).</p><p>Watson is just 25 years old and would get to learn from arguably the best head coach in NFL history. The Patriots roster isn’t too far off, and they always seem to make use of guys that others have forgotten about.</p><p>New England didn’t make the playoffs in 2020 but rest assured this front office will do all they can to compete in 2021.</p><p>Deshaun Watson played in college at Clemson- one of the best NCAA teams of the decade, and going to New England would be right up his alley.</p><h2><b>1. San Francisco 49ers</b></h2><p>Is it hard to believe that a year ago the Niners were just a few plays from winning the Super Bowl?</p><p>Watson to the Niners would immediately put Kyle Shanahan’s group back into NFC contention, and he would absolutely thrive with this group of weapons.</p><p>San Francisco has- by far- the best all-around skillset of any of the others on this list. Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle is a scary trio of pass-catchers, and Raheem Mostert and Jerick McKinnon give Deshaun Watson the luxury of capable rushers to give the ball to.</p><p>Watson could go to the West Coast and beautiful California, and the Niners are one of the most historic franchises in the NFL. San Francisco also has a talented offensive line, and we all saw what Shanahan did with Matt Ryan in Atlanta as they nearly won a Super Bowl.</p><p>Jimmy Garoppolo was injured, and even in their Super Bowl run, he had his moments where he struggled. Watson is no doubt a top-5 quarterback in this league and is coming off the best season of his career. Watson set career-highs in yards (4823) and touchdowns (33) and threw just seven picks in 2020, a career-low.</p><p>While San Francisco would have to give up a lot to get Deshaun Watson – as is the case for every team- Watson would seemingly love going to San Francisco and playing for a team full of offensive stars.</p><p><b>In reality </b></p><p>The situation between the Texans and Watson is getting worse, and it will be an interesting tidbit to keep an eye on going forward.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"[The situation between Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans] is worse than what's being reported. It's worse than what can be said on television."</p><p>—<a href="https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@danorlovsky7</a> <a href="https://t.co/vWjsNjNLJG" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/vWjsNjNLJG</a></p><p>— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/1351221318365171717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>So, with all that being said, where will Watson end up? His no-trade clause makes it tough for a lot of teams regardless of how generous their offer is, and Watson is in complete control of his future as a star quarterback in this league.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 best trade destinations for Deshaun Watson, ranked

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Deshaun-Watson-Texans-.jpg"></figure><h1>Deshaun Watson sends out cryptic message amid trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-19T11:04:00-08:00">January 19th, 11:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-19T11:05:37-08:00">January 19th, 11:05am</time><address><a>Marty Fenn</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson sent out yet another cryptic tweet as the football world awaits further action regarding his future.</p><p>Watson tweeted a picture of himself with the caption “I been trying to have some patience, I told my momma she should pray on it.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I been trying to have some patience, I told my momma she should pray on it. <a href="https://t.co/mhXSspBUj6" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/mhXSspBUj6</a></p><p>— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1351594526385840130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>It is hard to glean much from this, though it is worth wondering whether the “patience” Watson mentions refers directly to the Texans. Then again, “patience” could simply refer to Watson biding his time until Houston finds a trade partner.</p><p>There has been an abundance of speculation suggesting <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/chiefs-news-colin-cowherd-urges-afc-championship-postponement-until-patrick-mahomes-can-play/" rel="noopener">Watson’s days with</a> the Texans are numbered. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported there was a “growing sense” within the organization Deshaun Watson had played his final snaps for Houston.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization that Deshaun Watson has played his last snap for the team. It’s early in the off-season, there’s a lot of time left, but Watson’s feelings cannot and should not be underestimated.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1350877652291383300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Additionally, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported teams have already been calling the Texans inquiring about Watson’s status. However, Rapoport noted the Texans have “no desire” to trade the star signal-caller, at least at present.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">From NFL Now: Teams have been inquiring about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Texans</a> QB Deshaun Watson, despite the team showing no desire to trade him as of now. <a href="https://t.co/yhuvoC35Pg" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/yhuvoC35Pg</a></p><p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1351235726243999744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Watson has not been shy about expressing his displeasure with the franchise following the decision to hire Nick Caserio as GM. He directly referenced a report from Schefter suggesting his anger level had gone from a “2” to a “10.”</p><p>That tweet came almost immediately after Texans owner Cal McNair issued a statement of support for executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby, who h<a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1350177165426491393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1350177165426491393%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D979212action%3Dedit" rel="noopener">as come under fire in recent weeks.</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was on 2 then I took it to 10</p><p>— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1350177165426491393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Alternatively, there is a slim possibility Watson’s reference of “patience” has to do with seeing how Caserio and McNair will commit to building a new culture around him in the coming years.</p><p>In any case, the Deshaun Watson trade saga could be every bit as long and dramatic as was the case with James Harden and the Houston Rockets.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Deshaun Watson sends out cryptic message amid trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Saints-Michael-Thomas-Sean-Payton-Drew-Brees.jpg"></figure><h1>The reason Saints’ Michael Thomas played through ankle injury that now requires surgery</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-19T08:44:33-08:00">January 19th, 8:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-19T08:45:15-08:00">January 19th, 8:45am</time><address><a>Jeremy Chua</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas reportedly played through a torn deltoid and injured ligaments in his high ankle in their divisional-round tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After absorbing a tough loss, Thomas will now have surgeries to aid him in his recovery from his injuries, via <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1351559395516276738">ESPN</a>‘s Adam Schefter.</p><p>Thomas reportedly chose to play through the pain as he didn’t want to miss out on quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/saints-news-drew-brees-takes-one-last-look-at-superdome-as-retirement-looms/">Drew Brees’ likely swan song</a> in this year’s playoffs.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saints’ WR Michael Thomas is likely to have surgeries on both the torn deltoid and other injured ligaments in his high ankle this offseason, per source. He knew it was likely Drew Brees’ last year and didn’t want to miss out trying win a Super Bowl with him.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1351559395516276738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1351559570561359873">Schefter</a> also reported that Thomas often wouldn’t practice all week, yet would still suit up for the Saints during games. The team’s coaching staff admitted that they were still better with him on the field even with the injuries than to be incomplete without him.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Michael Thomas often wouldn’t practice all week, yet would still play in games, at much less than 100%, and with pain medication. The coaches told him even as injured as he was, they were much better off with him than without him. But now will need surgery. <a href="https://t.co/9YdSgVVbRW" target="_blank">https://t.co/9YdSgVVbRW</a></p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1351559570561359873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 19, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Thomas has gone through a down year after coming off a career-best season in 2019 with the Saints where he made history with 149 receptions. He was only limited to appear in seven regular-season games and recorded totals of 438 receiving yards on 40 receptions without a touchdown scored.</p><p>In the divisional round against the Buccaneers, the opposing secondary capitalized on the health of Thomas and limited him to have 0 catches on four targets from Brees.</p><p>The Saints desperately needed production from the three-time Pro Bowler, especially in the scoring department. However, the team eventually ran out of time to mount a comeback late in the game to succumb to a 30-20 defeat against the Buccaneers.</p><p>Michael Thomas will have a crucial offseason as he prepares to bounce back from an injury-riddled campaign and get back on track in 2021.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The reason Saints’ Michael Thomas played through ankle injury that now requires surgery

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ian.jpg"></figure><h1>Ian Rapoport discusses possibility of Saints trading Michael Thomas</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-18T16:23:05-08:00">January 18th, 4:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-18T16:23:36-08:00">January 18th, 4:23pm</time><address><a>Candice Evans</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New Orleans Saints fans have had a rough 24 hours, losing in their playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and possibly saying goodbye to future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. Now Saints fans have another worry on their mind: the status of Michael Thomas, with Ian Rapoport having the details.</p><p>Thomas, who was held catchless during Sunday’s Saints game and <a href="https://twitter.com/Carlton_Lowkey/status/1351009201238245383">mocked by a Tampa Bay defender afterward</a>, has been the subject of speculation among analysts and fans.</p><p>Many are puzzled by the inability of the Saints to get Thomas going in a win or go home game, and according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport, nothing is off the table.</p><blockquote>“I would not rule anything out,” Rapoport said about the Saints in a recent appearance on the <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow">Pat McAfee Show</a>. “I don’t think anything is imminent.”</blockquote><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I would not rule anything out.. I don't think anything is imminent"<a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@RapSheet</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@Cantguardmike</a>'s future in New Orleans <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PatMcAfeeShowLIVE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/P4RCWckn5i" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/P4RCWckn5i</a></p><p>— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1351225739300003845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Rapoport isn’t the only person speculating upon Thomas’ status with the Saints. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/saints-video-janoris-jenkins-pick-sixes-buccaneers-tom-brady/">Fans also believe</a> that something isn’t right. Their concern was multiplied after Thomas caught people’s attention with a since-deleted tweet this afternoon.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="es">¿Qué habrá querido decir <a href="https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@Cantguardmike</a> en este Tweet? 🤔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Saints?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">#Saints</a> <a href="https://t.co/o8mk9nL9sv" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/o8mk9nL9sv</a></p><p>— Emmanuel Gutiérrez (@gymbooroso) <a href="https://twitter.com/gymbooroso/status/1351287427688767490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Thomas’ tweet could be a subtle dig at Drew Brees, who struggled for the Saints in what was likely the final game of his career. Perhaps the outspoken wideout is telling people that “help is on the way” for him in the form of another quarterback. Or maybe Rapoport is correct in believing that Thomas’ time in NOLA may be coming to an end.</p><p>The Saints will have to face many tough decisions including what to do with Thomas. The wide receiver struggled with injuries this season, being limited to only six regular-season games. </p><p>The Saints will likely make that decision once they have word on their quarterback situation. Until then, New Orleans fans will have to weather the storm of subtweets and rumor mills.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ian Rapoport discusses possibility of Saints trading Michael Thomas

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/thomas-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Saints WR Michael Thomas posts IG story claiming he was screwed out of TD catch in loss to Buccaneers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-18T16:12:18-08:00">January 18th, 4:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-18T16:12:18-08:00">January 18th, 4:12pm</time><address><a>Michael Corvo</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/saints-news-nfl-twitter-clowns-michael-thomas-for-0-catch-game-buccaneers/" rel="noopener">received more flak</a> than passes over the past 24 hours.</p><p>Thomas has been taking heat since his silent performance in the Saints’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Round on Sunday. The star wideout failed to record a reception on four targets in New Orleans’ 30-20 loss—likely the final outing of quarterback Drew Brees’ career.</p><p>However, Thomas believes he did, in fact, find the Superdome end zone. On his Instagram story on Monday, the receiver posted a replay of a would-be touchdown from Sunday, seemingly implying that he legally caught the reception that was ruled as incomplete.</p><p>You can decide for yourself, but it certainly seems as if his knee and shin both come down out of bounds at the same time.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can’t guard Mike (0 catches) is on IG saying he caught that TD 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/Dk2MtrEIuC" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/Dk2MtrEIuC</a></p><p>— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1351080346109038592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Michael Thomas’ lack of production in the divisional round found him on the wrong end of some savage smack talk after the game. Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis—who checked Thomas for most of the night—mocked the Saints receiver on Twitter by calling him “slant boy.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ohhhhh slant boyyyyyy <a href="https://t.co/4Xkc56egnA" target="_blank">https://t.co/4Xkc56egnA</a></p><p>— C-Murda ™ (@Carlton_Lowkey) <a href="https://twitter.com/Carlton_Lowkey/status/1351009201238245383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>The disappointing performance fittingly capped off a strange season for Thomas. Following his prolific 2019 campaign, Thomas was limited to just seven appearances in 2020 due to a combination of injuries and a suspension. He accrued 40 receptions for <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomMi05.htm" rel="noopener">438 yards</a> and, remarkably, zero touchdowns.</p><p>In the Saints’ 21-9 Wild Card Round win over the Chicago Bears last weekend, Thomas posted five catches (seven targets) for 73 yards and his only score of the season.</p><p>Until this year, Thomas had played 63 of a possible 64 games in his career. Last season, he set the NFL single-season receptions record and won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award after racking up 149 catches, 1,725 yards and nine TDs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Saints WR Michael Thomas posts IG story claiming he was screwed out of TD catch in loss to Buccaneers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/texans-news-deshaun-watsons-message-to-fans-planning-march-to-get-him-to-stay.jpg"></figure><h1>Deshaun Watson’s message to fans planning march amid trade rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-18T09:42:07-08:00">January 18th, 9:42am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-18T09:42:07-08:00">January 18th, 9:42am</time><address><a>Marty Fenn</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans">Houston Texans</a> quarterback is glad to have the support of fans planning a march amid a plethora of trade rumors, but he is promoting public health and safety.</p><p>Watson sent out a tweet Monday morning asking a march planned on his behalf be canceled as a precaution. The star signal-caller iterated high rates of COVID-19 persist, and said he did not want fans to have unnecessary exposure.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m hearing there is a march planned on my behalf in Houston today. Although I am humbled I ask that whoever is organizing the march cancel for the sake of public safety. Covid is spreading at a high rate &amp; I don’t want any fans to unnecessarily expose themselves to infection.</p><p>— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1351209917080854537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>Fans were <a href="https://abc13.com/houston-texans-deshaun-watson-quarterback-rally/9777079/">planning</a> a rally beginning at Watson’s restaurant in Houston, Lefty’s, and marching all the way to NRG Stadium.</p><p>Watson, however, is hoping to mitigate risks to public safety.</p><p>The rally comes in the midst of a calamitous start to 2021 for the Texans and their fans. Early rumors swirled suggesting Watson could seek a trade this offseason. The noise grew louder after reports surfaced suggesting the former Clemson star was dismayed Houston had all but ignored his suggestions for the team’s next General Manager.</p><p>Texans owner Cal McNair and newly-hired GM Nick Caserio said they would speak with Watson after he came back from vacation. But Watson’s recent social activity suggests he has no interest in engaging, especially after McNair issued a statement of support for Jack Easterby.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was on 2 then I took it to 10</p><p>— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/deshaunwatson/status/1350177165426491393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 15, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>In spite of fan frustration, the relationship between Watson and the Texans might be unsalvageable.</p><p>Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Houston had “internal conversations” about trade partners for Watson.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Texans have had internal conversations about possible trade partners for Deshaun Watson and what their quarterback position would look like in the future without him, per ESPN’s <a href="https://twitter.com/sarahbarshop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">@sarahbarshop</a>.<a href="https://t.co/X7ppAn9OcL" target="_blank">https://t.co/X7ppAn9OcL</a></p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1350945137719914498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>There is no doubt Watson is worthy of the “franchise QB” label.</p><p>Texans fans wish Watson could still be that guy in Houston, but the situation could be past the point of no return.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Deshaun Watson’s message to fans planning march amid trade rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Texans-rumors-1-dark-horse-contender-for-Deshaun-Watson-trade-Thumbnail.jpg"></figure><h1>RUMOR: 1 dark-horse contender for Deshaun Watson trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-18T06:24:37-08:00">January 18th, 6:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-18T06:24:37-08:00">January 18th, 6:24am</time><address><a>Isaac Doctor</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1351151930282799111">NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport</a> reported that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans">Houston Texans</a> star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, has not asked for a trade. Rumors about the signal caller’s displeasure arose from his supposed non-inclusion in the search for a new general manager and head coach.</p><p>There has been no news of anyone in the Texans organization confirming that Watson would be moved in the offseason. However, as the saying goes, “where there’s smoke there’s fire.”</p><p>Quarterback-needy teams see the smoke and have been contacting the Texans inquiring about trading for the passing yards leader. Potential landing spots for Deshaun Watson include the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/news">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/new-york-jets">New York Jets</a>, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins">Miami Dolphins</a>. The three teams will be picking in that same exact order at the upcoming draft. That draft will be headlined by Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, one of the highest-graded quarterbacks coming out of college.</p><p>According to Rapoport, a dark horse candidate in the Watson sweepstakes if it becomes a reality is the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers">Carolina Panthers</a>, although they are picking eighth in the draft. One can’t deny that an offense with Watson and Christian McCaffrey would be absolutely fun to watch.</p><p>Drafted in the stacked 2017 NFL Draft, Deshaun Watson has improved by leaps and bounds. Not only did he lead the league in total passing yards, but he had the most passing yards per throw with an average of 8.9 yards per throw.</p><p>This was accomplished despite the departure of top wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/sports/nfl/arizona-cardinals">Arizona Cardinals</a>. Fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson were selected by franchises in better situations and won MVP awards.</p><p>It would not be far-fetched to say that Watson can also snag the league’s top award with a change in scenery.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

RUMOR: 1 dark-horse contender for Deshaun Watson trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 18px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px;    font-size: 16px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: #0000FF;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 16px;    text-decoration: none;}ul {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 16px;}ol {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    padding: 0px 0px 0px 15px;    font-size: 16px;    border-left: 2px solid black;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: #333333;    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 12px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;    background-color: #EFEFEF;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article><header><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Deshaun-Watson-Texans-1.jpg"></figure><h1>3 blockbuster Deshaun Watson trades that the Texans need, ranked</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2021-01-18T06:19:04-08:00">January 18th, 6:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2021-01-23T11:58:30-08:00">January 23rd, 11:58am</time><address><a>David Bernal</a></address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Following Houston’s decision to double down on their front office hierarchy and disregard Deshaun Watson’s wishes, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports a growing likelihood that the Texans will eventually trade their franchise quarterback.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization that Deshaun Watson has played his last snap for the team. It’s early in the off-season, there’s a lot of time left, but Watson’s feelings cannot and should not be underestimated.</p><p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1350877652291383300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">January 17, 2021</a></p></blockquote><p></p></figure><p>By retaining <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/01/16/texans-chaos-deshaun-watson-unhappy-how-jack-easterby-kept-his-job">controversial</a> vice president Jack Easterby, who began his tenure with the organization as a “character coach” before gaining control of all football-related decisions earlier this season, a rift has grown between the organization and Deshaun Watson. With the QB having already expressed his doubts over the VP’s ability to lay a winning foundation in Houston, Easterby further <a href="https://www.radio.com/weei/sports/patriots/things-are-not-going-well-for-nick-caserio-in-houston">complicated</a> matters by hiring former Patriot executive Nick Caserio as general manager over Watson’s wishes.</p><p>While team owner Cal McNair initially hoped to strengthen the bond between himself and Watson by asking for the quarterback’s active participation in the search process for a GM and head coach, Easterby’s continued disregard of Watson’s recommendations has brought the situation to a breaking point. Though Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/01/17/deshaun-watson-has-not-yet-asked-for-a-trade/">reported</a> that the QB has yet to formally request a trade, it seems only a matter of time before events conspire to get there.</p><p>Once Watson and his camp make that decision, the presence of his no-trade clause will force the Texans to thread a needle between satisfying the quarterbacks’ wishes on his preferred destination and collecting adequate value in return. With all but a few teams likely to inquire about obtaining the All-Pro play-caller, we’ve gone ahead and narrowed Houston’s choices down for them.</p><p>Here are our three best trade options for the Houston Texans as they look to offload Deshaun Watson.</p><h2><b>3. Chicago Bears: three 1st-round draft picks, two 2nd-round draft picks, one 3rd-round draft pick</b></h2><p>While blockbuster trades in the NFL are notoriously tricky, given the presence of the hard cap and the difficulty in matching salaries that are not guaranteed, Deshaun Watson’s is a rare case in which the outgoing star player has a workable salary hit in the near term. With his contract <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/houston-texans/deshaun-watson-21753/">expected</a> only to carry a base of $10 million in 2021, teams across the league can absorb the quarterback’s salary with minimal cap machinations. At least for one season.</p><p>The potential roadblock in completing a trade for the QB will be his cap hit in 2022 and 2023, respectively. With both years taking north of $40 million in cap space, the organization receiving Watson must have confidence that its current roster–plus the quarterback–is capable of contending with a minimal infusion of talent in either free agency or the draft.</p><p>Enter the Chicago Bears. While the team is an obvious trade partner for the Texans, thanks to their continued pursuit of a franchise quarterback, the Bears are also led by an aggressive general manager in Ryan Pace, who has never shied away from making <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2680864-khalil-mack-reportedly-expected-to-be-traded-to-bears">similar</a> transactions in the past. Having already passed on Watson once in favor of Mitch Trubisky during the 2017 NFL Draft (<a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/11/nfl-bears-mitch-trubisky-highlight-reel">sorry</a>, Bears fans) Pace is not likely to let the play-caller get away from him twice in a single lifetime.</p><p>Given that Chicago is one of the few franchises in the league with all of their draft picks in 2021 and beyond, the Bears can offer a bouquet of draft compensation that few can match. Making the offer more appealing for the Texans is the possibility that Chicago guts its roster to accommodate Deshaun Watson’s cap hit in later years. With the Bears already <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/cap/">projected</a> to be nearly $10 million over the cap in both 2022 and 2023, Chicago could face the difficult decision of cutting someone like Khalil Mack–who carries only a $2.6 million dead hit in 2023–to get their finances in order.</p><p>Should the Bears collapse under the weight of their cap sheet, the Texans could stand in line to benefit from Chicago’s waning production via draft picks that would suddenly rise in value. While the Bears will hope that Deshaun Watson would guarantee a backstop that prevented them from falling out of contention, the Texans’ performance over the last two years has proven that no single player can elevate a team to postseason contention on a roster bereft of talent.</p><p>Trading a star quarterback is always a risky proposition with a significant upside for complete disaster for both teams involved. Providing Chicago a chance to chase an elusive Super Bowl while allowing the Texans to rebuild around assets that could become better with time might be the best one of the best options either could do.</p><figure><img src="https://clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Texans-rumors-1-dark-horse-contender-for-Deshaun-Watson-trade-Thumbnail.jpg"></figure><h2><b>2. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, two 1st-round draft picks in 2021, two 1st-round draft picks in 2022</b></h2><p>Every  Jets fan entered the 2020 NFL season, hoping that it would conclude with the New York franchise in possession of the top overall pick in April’s Draft and the right to select Trevor Lawrence as their quarterback of the future. While things didn’t go according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/85436/jets-win-their-way-out-of-no-1-pick-setting-stage-for-qb-drama">plan</a> for the Jets or their fans, it’s fair to assume that both would be satisfied with Deshaun Watson as a consolation prize.</p><p>With the Jets in possession of multiple first-round picks over the next two seasons thanks to their <a href="https://jetswire.usatoday.com/lists/new-york-jets-have-19-picks-next-2-nfl-drafts/">rebuilding</a> effort, New York can entice Houston not only with draft equity but a bridge starter in Sam Darnold. Though he is unlikely ever to reach the heights imagined for him when he was a prospect, Darnold has shown that he can be a serviceable starter in the league. While it may not seem exciting, even the possibility that the Texans could eventually flip Darnold for another late-round draft pick has to be a consideration for a team in need of a full rebuild.</p><p>As for Deshaun Watson, the Jets would not only represent a fresh start but the chance to work with newly-installed head coach Robert Saleh. One of the coaching candidates Deshaun Watson was <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/01/16/deshaun-watson-also-recommended-robert-saleh-for-an-interview-the-texans-didnt-talk-to-him/">reportedly</a> most in favor of bringing to Houston, Saleh’s presence might be the selling point Watson requires to waive his no-trade clause. For a Jets team known for its dysfunction, the chance to be the “stable” franchise in trade talks is a win itself.</p><h2><b>3. Miami Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, two 1st-round 2021 draft picks</b></h2><p>Sometimes the most obvious choice is also the best one. Given that the Dolphins are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/texans-rumors-one-team-sticking-out-deshaun-watson-trade-sweepstakes/">reportedly</a> the preferred destination by Watson and his camp, there is little question about the quarterback’s willingness to waive his no-trade clause.</p><p>In all likelihood, the question that will determine whether or not this trade comes to fruition will be the Texans’ opinion of Tagovailoa. If Houston believes that Tagovailoa can fulfill his potential, then the Texans can settle knowing they possess a player you hope to acquire with a high draft pick. If he can’t, then it’s difficult to argue that the Dolphins trade package is more valuable than the number of draft assets other teams will throw at Houston.</p><p>For Miami to be involved in Deshaun Watson trade discussions precisely because of the <a href="https://www.espn.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/31716/tua-tagovailoas-benching-a-lesson-for-young-qb-and-the-dolphins">uncertainty</a> surrounding Tua, the fact that another team will have to puzzle out his potential to complete the deal is the biggest irony of all.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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