According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans’ asking price in a potential Deshaun Watson trade is very, very high.
The longtime ESPN NFL insider reports that the Texans are asking for a heavy combination of players and draft picks.
Watson, a superstar quarterback, is not expected to play anytime soon. He’s been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women. While he remains unpunished by the NFL, the Texans aren’t planning on playing him.
From ESPN.com:
The Houston Texans sought a package of six players and NFL draft picks from teams interested in trading for star quarterback Deshaun Watson this summer, league sources told ESPN.
Whether the package consisted of one player and five draft picks or two players and four picks, the Texans were unwilling to budge from their trade price for Watson, who remains on their roster even though he will not be active for Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Dolphins “balked” at the asking price for Watson.
The Dolphins and Texans were reportedly close on a deal. However, Miami backed off due to Houston’s unwillingness to drop the price.
Per a source with knowledge of the conversations, that’s not what caused the Dolphins to back off. It was the asking price, one that the Texans refuse to soften despite the questions swirling around Watson. Although it’s been widely reported that the Texans want three first-round picks and two second-round picks, someone in the know mentioned that the Texans wanted four ones and two twos from the Dolphins. (Although by rule teams can only trade picks three drafts into the future, the Dolphins have two first-round picks in 2023, giving them four in the next three drafts.)
So, yes, a trade was moving toward happening. Ultimately, the Texans refused to reduce their demands to reflect the uncertainty that certainly hovers over Watson — especially with the possibility that he’ll be placed on paid leave if he’s traded and prepares to start playing.
It’ll be interesting to see where things go from here. Perhaps the Dolphins will be more willing to pay up if Tua Tagovailoa struggles at quarterback.
Miami is set to open the 2021 season on Sunday against New England. Houston, meanwhile, opens the year against Jacksonville.
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