NFL World Reacts To Monday’s Deshaun Watson News
After eight months of speculation about Deshaun Watson’s future in Houston, the Texans have reportedly made a decision on what they’ll do with the Pro Bowl quarterback during the 2021 season.
According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Texans are “prepared” to keep Watson on their final 53-man roster when the league’s deadline hits on Tuesday afternoon. However, he will remain inactive each week, meaning that Houston will still have to pay him his $10.54 million salary. Watson may be a part of the Texans, but he’ll be watching each game from the sidelines.
Trade buzz surrounding the 25-year-old quarterback had ramped up in recent days as reports indicated that a handful of teams were still kicking the tires on a potential. However, the contenders backed off due to the Texans’ steep asking price and the 22 lawsuits still pending against Watson for alleged sexual misconduct.
Due to the current situation, Houston didn’t have many other available options than to hold onto its quarterback. The league hasn’t stepped in with any sort of discipline and the justice system will continue to run its course, but as of right now, Watson is eligible to play in the NFL. He doesn’t want to do so for the Texans, but the franchise can’t exactly trade him away easily under the circumstances.
Once the report of the Texans’s plan for Watson broke on Monday, fans and media members met the news with some understanding, but also with confusion that the league hasn’t stepped in to intervene.
Texans will be criticized, but with the league not acting on it yet, this is the only recourse (no one is trading for him). https://t.co/4K4zPWL3Xp
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) August 30, 2021
The legal system and the NFL and its teams all move at very different paces. The NFL wants more info before suspending, exempting or taking no action against Watson while the Texans want to move Watson but only for the right return. The legal system will take as long as it needs. https://t.co/wZjYWTq5nK
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) August 30, 2021
I cant see how this will fly. Deactivation for 4 weeks is basically all that is allowed by the CBA unless the player is hurt or is no longer any good. I think he would have a grievance case here unless the NFL steps in with an exemption https://t.co/WXL7001RhS
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) August 30, 2021
Because it’s “only” $10 million. But if this were next year, hoooo boy they’d really have to grow a spine. The @HoustonTexans continue to be the most embarrassing franchise in professional sports. There is no one worse. (And their hashtag sucks.) https://t.co/ghrV9j5tvp
— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) August 30, 2021
What a quagmire all the way around https://t.co/GdSKsHsRWe
— trey wingo (@wingoz) August 30, 2021
As NFL Net reported today, Texans not relenting on high demands of 3 first rounders and more https://t.co/AfBj6H5WiI
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 30, 2021
It’s impossible to project what will become of Watson and the Texans in the next few months. In the meantime, Houston clearly feels that it’s worth it to have the 25-year-old quarterback take up a spot on the roster headed into the 2021 season.
If Watson does spend the season on the sidelines, the Texans plan to start veteran Tyrod Taylor under center in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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