Quarterback Deshaun Watson sat out the 2021 season as he awaited a trade from the Houston Texans.
No trades manifested, but the three-time Pro Bowler is still keeping an eye on potential destinations across the league.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, two new teams have entered the fray for Watson in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings, both of whom have long-term questions at quarterback.
The Buccaneers will exhaust all options to resolve their quarterback situation after the retirement of Tom Brady, per sources. The goal is to maximize the championship window instead of rebuild. Second-round pick Kyle Trask and veteran Blaine Gabbert remain in the fold, but big-name quarterbacks such as Watson or Russell Wilson could be options Tampa Bay at least explores.
The Vikings have intriguing young pieces in Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, and they face a decision on the contract of Kirk Cousins, a 2023 free agent who has a $45 million cap hit in 2022. New coach Kevin O’Connell, however, conveyed a strong belief in Cousins during his interview process with Minnesota, relaying a vision for maximizing his skill set.
In September of 2020, the Texans signed Watson to a four-year extension worth $177.5 and $111 million in guarantees, presumptively locking down the former 2017 first-round pick from Clemson through the 2025 season.
Watson requested a trade from Houston in late January. The biggest complication to moving Watson, other than his no-trade clause, is his legal situation. The 26-year-old is currently a defendant in a lawsuit wherein 22 women allege he committed sexual assault. The Houston Police Department has also fielded similar complaints, albeit with some of the same complainants being plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The FBI has been involved. Concurrent with the litigation, the NFL is conducting its own investigation. Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiffs, submitted to the Harris County 113th Judicial District Court Feb. 24 as the first date Watson is to be deposed.
