Deshaun Watson Trade Rumors: Which Teams Will Pursue Quarterback In 2022?

Deshaun Watson is expected to be traded before the start of the 2022 NFL season. The 26-year-old quarterback should have several suitors, though one team with questions at the sport’s most important position won’t be one of them.

The New York Giants won’t trade for Watson, according to team owner John Mara. After introducing new general manager Joe Schoen, Mara shot down speculation that the Giants might make a play for Watson, who is still under contract with the Houston Texans.

Watson's status has been in question after demanding a trade and then having faced sexual assault allegations. Watson sat out the entire 2021 season amid 22 allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

“We’re not trading for Deshaun Watson,” Mara told reporters Wednesday. “There’s so many reasons why we wouldn’t do that. Cap-wise, we couldn’t afford it. But more importantly, with the allegations that are out there right now, it’s just not the right fit for us.”

Despite his pending legal issues, Watson was in trade rumors before the midseason deadline.

The Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers reportedly had trade discussions with Houston during the season.

New York’s interest in head-coaching candidate Brian Flores seemed to increase the chances that the Giants might consider going after Watson. Miami had interest in trading for Watson last season when Flores was the Dolphins head coach. Watson has a no-trade clause and reportedly would want to play for Flores.

Flores is a top candidate for several teams’ coaching vacancies. His biggest competition for the Giants’ job is probably Brian Daboll. Daboll has spent the last four years as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator while Schoen was the team’s assistant general manager.

Before sitting out all of last season, Watson was selected to the Pro Bowl in three straight seasons. Watson played at an MVP level in 2020, leading the NFL with 4,823 passing yards. Watson’s 104.5 passer rating in 54 career games is tied with Aaron Rodgers for second all-time.

Schoen and Mara stressed at Wednesday’s press conference that the Giants still believe in Daniel Jones. In three seasons since being drafted sixth overall, Jones has yet to prove that he can be a reliable NFL starter.

In 38 career games, Jones has a meager 84.3 passer rating with 6.6 yards per attempt. Jones has thrown for 45 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. Jones has 36 fumbles, averaging nearly one per game.

Jones missed six games due to injury in the 2021 season. The Giants ranked last in points per game, yards per play and points per drive.

No NFL team has a worse record over the last five seasons than New York.