The Houston Texans’ position has not changed. The new GM Nick Caserio is not interested in negotiating the disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Watson, who is a very, very smart player, used every advantage he could in threatening to stay out of the 2021 season if the Texans didn’t agree to a deal. Caserio may intend to cut his GM teeth in an impasse with the Pro Bowler three times, or, he may simply be waiting for an offer that he cannot refuse.
Maybe the Denver Broncos are the team to blow Caserio’s hair. The new GM George Paton has been a man of his word and involved in “all business” in the QB market this off-season.
With the latest QB dominoes falling in the form of Carson Wentz being traded to Indianapolis, the Broncos’ options for an upgrade on the first day compared to incumbent Drew Lock have diminished. The good news?
Current betting odds favor the Broncos as the leaders in the club to win Watson’s draw, according to FanDuel.
Two things have been made clear about the Denver Broncos in this off-season: they are trying to leave Drew Lock and are interested in an exchange with Deshaun Watson. With the Houston Texans quarterback available, Denver could make a big move to get its next star in the franchise.
That represents a big move for Denver, who was out of the top five in the chances of Watson’s next team just under two weeks ago. However, there is an increasing noise connecting the QB to the Broncos, so it’s not very surprising that Denver has worked its way up.
The player’s future odds on the FanDuel Sportsbook (available in Colorado only) continue to support a Watson deal for Denver. Their chances increased to +300 just a few days ago, and they are on the move again. The Broncos are now favorites to put Watson at +150.
What happens next for the Broncos? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and receive the latest Broncos news in your inbox daily!
Meanwhile, longtime Houston Beat writer John McClain refuted the notion of Denver being the favorite to win Watson.
“I guarantee the Denver Broncos won’t get Deshaun Watson from the Texans,” said McClain earlier this week during an appearance at KOARadio in Denver.
Time will tell. McClain sees the New York Jets, and the nest egg of that first-round multiplayer team, as the true leader to land Watson.
Meanwhile, Lock is listening to all the fuss and watching his new GM openly chase all the veteran QB available on the market.
What is said on the streets is that the third-year caller is struggling to block out the noise, keeping his head down and focusing on the Broncos’ headstone. It would be a big surprise to see a QB tectonic trade divert to Denver this off-season.
The most likely scenario, considering that coach Vic Fangio is in a ‘win or so’ season, is that Paton ends up having to settle for a free newsboy like Andy Dalton, Jacoby Brissett or Ryan Fitzpatrick, and commands back with Lock for another year.
As attractive as a QB may be in the April NFL draft, a rookie will not save Fangio, or the Broncos, from any destination that awaits them in 2021. If Watson is not available, or (an even less likely) Russell Wilson , there is a high probability that Paton and Fangio will see Lock as the QB that will give the Broncos the best chance of winning in 202.
After all, this would be Lock’s second year in offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s scheme, and his 18 NFL games provided him with a more than solid display of league exposure and his best saves. If Denver loses in the sensational QB negotiations this spring, don’t be surprised to see Paton step back with Lock.
And when / if that happens, don’t be surprised to see Lock show remarkable improvements and win some ball games for Fangio and Shurmur in the hot seat.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.
Follow the Mile High Huddle on Twitter and the Facebook.
Sign up for Mile High Huddle on Youtube for Broncos daily live podcasts!