Deshaun Watson may not play in the NFL at all this season. Just because he's likely to be sidelined indefinitely as multiple probes into allegations of sexual misconduct against him continue, though, doesn't mean he won't be traded from the Houston Texans.
FOX's Jay Glazer reported on Sunday that Houston has recently “softened” its asking price in trade discussions for Watson, adding to the possibility he'll be dealt sooner rather than later.
Though Houston seems more willing than ever to trade Watson for a package not commensurate with his status as one of football's best signal-callers, general manager Nick Caserio and company will no doubt rue not agreeing to move him before his value was further diminished. Why? The Texans surely won't get another offer like one of three first-round picks and three second-round picks they've previously declined.
The #Texans stance on the asking price for franchise QB Deshaun Watson has “soften” this week, according to @JayGlazer
The Texans were previously offered three 1st round picks and three 2nd round picks and they declined it.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 26, 2021
Update: Jay actually reported that a team offered three 1st round picks and three 3rd round picks before the Draft for Deshaun Watson and the Texans turned it down.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 26, 2021
Watson requested a trade from the Texans in January, shortly after Houston finished a disastrous 2020 season with a 4-12 record. Approximately three months later, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced plans to file suit against Watson for alleged misconduct against multiple women, a tipping point that caused tens more purported victims to later come forward.
Watson currently faces 22 active civil suits alleging sexual misconduct during sessions with various massage therapists, interactions that his attorney, Rusty Hardin, insists were all consensual. Ten criminal complaints were filed against Watson in July, too, prompting separate, ongoing investigations from the FBI and NFL.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in early September that the Texans sought a combination of six players and draft picks in exchange for Watson, exactly the type of return they reportedly turned down before the draft.
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