Deshaun Watson Trade Rumors: Eagles, Broncos, 49ers Could Become Contenders For Texans QB

The courtship for Deshaun Watson appears to look much different than when the star quarterback asked for a trade in January. The Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles might actually have a better chance than most teams of coming to an agreement with the Houston Texans.

The New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears were initially named the favorites to acquire Watson. The no-trade clause in Watson’s contract could force the Texans to send him elsewhere, however, if the Texans decide to move their star during the 2021 NFL offseason.

Houston hasn’t been actively shopping Watson, though many feel a trade is inevitable.

According to The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi, the latest rumblings are that Watson wants to play for a team out west.

“The rumor is he doesn’t want to play in New York,” Lombardi said on “The Rich Eisen Show” Tuesday. “The rumor is he doesn’t want to play in Miami. He wants to play in Denver and San Francisco.”

Watson would certainly be an upgrade at quarterback for both the Broncos and 49ers. Drew Lock has only started 18 games since the Broncos made him a second-round pick in the 2019 draft, but he’s been among the league’s worst quarterbacks when under center. Jimmy Garoppolo did lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl a year ago, though the 29-year-old is often hurt and viewed largely as an average quarterback.

As the league’s leading passer in the 2020 season, Watson has established himself as one of the NFL’s best starters.

Any potential trade offer from the Broncos would likely start with the No.9 overall pick in the upcoming draft. The 49ers have the No.12 pick.

Philadelphia owns the No.6 overall pick, as well as four of the top-85 selections in the 2021 draft. The Eagles are “monitoring the Watson situation closely,” CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports.

After trading Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, Jalen Hurts is on track to be Philadelphia’s starting quarterback next season. The Eagles could choose to dangle him in a trade offer to the Texans.

Hurts threw for 1,061 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions on 148 attempts in his second NFL season. The 22-year-old added 354 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground, outperforming Wentz after the Eagles benched their original starter.

The Texans have signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a one-year contract worth up to $12.5 million. The free-agent signing could signal that Houston is at least preparing for the fact that Watson might not be on the roster sometime in the near future.