Even though no one knows whether the Houston Texans will yield to the commercial demands of Deshaun Watson, two former San Francisco 49ers have let their opinions be known.
Earlier this week, Jerry Rice said he thinks Niners general manager John Lynch should try to put together a package to bring Watson to the Bay Area.
Now Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young is also agreeing with his thoughts. The two-time NFL MVP was at KNBR and was asked what he would be willing to participate in a swap package for Watson (h / t 49erswebzone):
“I would give two choices in the first round to quarterbacks of generations, these are potential Hall of Fameers.
Who are the defenders of generations playing now? Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, probably Josh Allen. Like, guys. Justin Herbert, very quickly. I wouldn’t trade Justin Herbert for less than that, although he has won four games or something. But there is something about him that really gives me that feeling. “
San Francisco holds the 12th choice in the NFL’s 2021 Draft. With defensive coordinator Robert Saleh becoming the head coach of the New York Jets, the 49ers are expected to have a total of 10 teams in April.
Watson is one of the best defenders in the NFL. He led the league with 4,873 passing yards and made 33 touchdowns during the 2020 season.
Young also said he may be willing to part ways with three players in the first round to bring the 25-year-old into the Bay Area.
“He is, without a joke, one of the best defenders in the league … He is about to be one of the great names of the generation and has already proven that he can handle it. … For me, Deshaun Watson is like, ‘Wow. I want that.'”
Houston signed a four-year deal worth up to $ 160 million with Watson (about $ 111 million in guaranteed money) just before Week 1 of the regular season 2020. The team also paid him a $ signing bonus 27 million.
By Over the Cap, Watson’s base salary for the 2021 season is just over $ 10.5 million, with an upper limit of $ 15.94 million. Your contract is structured in a way that will grow significantly in the coming years.
Watson’s maximum number is over $ 40 million in 2022 and 2023 and then averages $ 33.35 over the last two seasons of the deal.
The 49ers still have Jimmy Garoppolo under contract. The quarterback lost 10 games last season while dealing with ankle injuries. The maximum limit reached by Garoppolo for the 2021 season is $ 25.9 million, but if the team decides to move forward, it will cost only $ 2.8 million in dead money.