Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is letting it be known he has a New York state of mind.
The disgruntled quarterback who has expressed continued discontent with the Houston Texans front office combination of owner Cal McNair and Vice President of Football Operations Jack Easterby over their handling of the teams head coach vacancy, wants to come to the Jets.
That is the latest rumor according to Miami Herald reporter Armando Salguero. Watson has told people that the Jets are his top choice to play for in 2021 because of the presence of head coach Robert Saleh. Watson encouraged the Texans to interview Saleh, as well as Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Both recommendations went on deaf ears -- although the Texans did interview Bieniemy recently.
The Dolphins are also one of Watson's top choices to go to. In fact it's really between the two AFC East rivals for his services if Watson had it his way.
The Dolphins were 10-6 this season, and nearly made the playoffs. They are in a better position to win right away should the acquire Watson since they have a team that is ready for postseason play. The Jets are still a long way away from being a serious playoff contender having gone 2-14 this year.
It will be interesting to see how the Jets and Dolphins try to outdo one another to get Watson. Clearly neither would want the other to get the quarterback and risk facing him twice a year. This will revive a once storied rivalry for sure.
If Watson badly wants to play in New York, the Jets have to go out there and make a move, or at least make their best effort to get it done. Sam Darnold is a good guy, but after three years of mediocre play, the Jets could go out and get a generational talent at quarterback in his prime if they get Watson.
It will be costly. It will cost the Jets the number 2 pick in the NFL draft, and likely two other first round picks over the next couple of years at least. They could even include Darnold in the package -- especially if the Texans hire former Jet Josh McCown as head coach, who took Darnold under his wing when they were teammates back in 2018. If the Texans don't want Darnold, they could send him elsewhere and recoup some middle round picks as a result.
Watson's flirtation with the Jets has been pretty loud in recent weeks. He was spotted driving around Edgewater, New Jersey, and even liked the New York Post back page with Watson's likeness on it. Clearly he has an interest here, not only from the playing standpoint, but the marketing opportunities that come with playing in the Big Apple.
Should Watson come to New York City, he would be the latest disgruntled athlete from the city of Houston to come here after NBA superstar James Harden whined his way to Brooklyn.
The big question is will Watson formally demand a trade? And will the Texans do it? Remember Watson is signed for four years at $150 million-plus. The Texans could end up acquiescing to Watson's demands and hire Bieniemy as head coach once the Chiefs season ends. In fact there have been rumors that Bieniemy is still linked to the job. Then again, we see things like Houston interviewing McCown and ex-Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
Watson hasn't formally demanded a trade, but his apparent unhappiness and constant rumor making makes it clear he wants out of H-Town.
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