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As the World Turns...
A look into the Deshaun Watson v. Houston Texans drama, and where we think he'll land.
By Spags (2.26.2021)
Everything is bigger in Texas.
And the Texans melodrama playing out in national sports media is no exception. The franchise darling, one year removed from a 24-0 lead versus the eventual SBIV champions in the AFC divisional playoff, has declared divorce from this once perennial contender. So how did this happen? It is clearly not a single cause and effect spiral. There has been a pot of boiling negligence and incompetence in Houston, and it has finally overflowed.
Drafted in 2017, the Clemson product was predicted as the savior for a franchise seeking it's identity among the elites. An injury shortened season his rookie year showed promise that Deshaun was THAT dude. (I mean, who can forget the duel vs Wilson and the Seahawks?) Houston coach at the time, Bill O'Brien had been granted player personnel duties and things seemed to flip instanstly from "future is bright" to "win now at all costs". A questionable move with a young sub 25 year old QB star not yet near his prime. Draft picks were dealt to bring his offensive line protection. More draft picks were traded to bring in defensive backs and offensive weapons. O'Brien was running the Texans like a 9th grader playing Madden franchise.
There's teams like the Rams, who trade draft picks for established All Pros. Then there's the Texans, who trade draft picks for underperforming tackles and 5'10'' receivers. But who's to argue? The Texans won their division again in 2019, and had a 24-0 lead on Mahomes at Arrowhead. A team they already beat once in the regular season. There's an episode of Always Sunny, when Mac and Charlie hatch the perfect plan to fake their own deaths and trick their friends/prison father. Things are in place, just need to do the final deed... in this case, fake the "how" of their death. The Texans, in this episode, are Mac. They had a great plan. An even better start! But then, they got behind the wheel to finish the job... and... well...
So now here we are. A dismal season following the firing of O'Brien, and nothing to show for this misery. No promising high draft picks, or abundance of cap room. There's still hope however. Or at least there was. Hiring a new GM and coach can turn a franchise around with excitement and rebranding! Except Deshaun's was heard about as well as the voice of reason at a political rally.
"Hey, here's my top 3 candidates for GM. Really anybody but Nick Caserio." ~ Watson
"Ok cool, Caserio it is." ~ Bob McNair
"Hey, ummm, that wasn't exactly what I wanted. But maybe we can hire Marvin Lewis or Eric Bieniemy?" ~ Watson
"Ok cool, Baltimore passing coordinator it is." ~ McNair
Cooks is packed away. Fuller a FA. Watt released. Cap room under 7 mil. And no draft picks in the 3 rounds.
January 28th, 2021 ~ Deshaun Watson officially requests a trade.
Jack Easterby and Bob McNair, both led by blinding ignorance and mistrust, let the one guy they couldn't lose... lose himself.
There's no turning back. With each passing day, the Texans lose leverage. A deal must be done to accumulate the largest haul possible. Options are limited. Although Deshaun is only owed around 15 mil in 2021, his number rockets up to 35 mil for 2022-23. So a team that acquires him must have cap flexibility for 2 years, not one.
In comes the Dolphins, and Jets. Both top suitors with cap room and multiple picks.
Then swinging by after the pregame, the Panthers Broncos, and 49ers join the party. Not so much appeal in draft capital, but cap room and veteran players to dish off.
And coming by fashionably late, but too late to score, is the Washington Football team and the Bears. They can say they were at the same party, get some views on their snapchat story, but the next day at work... they're still Washington and the Bears.
My money is on Miami landing Deshaun, with Carolina being the silent trojan horse in this war for a franchise QB. But one thing is certain. The situation is beyond repair, and playing out in the public eye. A bad look for the Texans organization and one that might mean examining how they do business.
As Deshaun Watson simply stated, "Loyalty Matters."
New York, New York?
Talents to South Beach?
Return to the Carolina's?