One of the biggest issues in the NFL offseason revolves around Deshaun Watson and where he will be playing in 2021. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Texans, Watson made it clear that he does not want to return to Houston for a fifth season. . Not only did he request an exchange, but he also erased the Texan name from each of his social media profiles.
Although Texas general manager Nick Caserio insisted that his team will not negotiate with Watson, the fact is that he may have no choice. If Watson leaves Houston, an intriguing landing spot could be in Las Vegas with the Raiders.
Sure, the Raiders already have Derek Carr, but that is something that can change that off season. An interesting report from Las Vegas Review-Journal this week suggested that needy quarterback teams around the NFL could call on the Raiders to try and acquire Carr, and if that happens, the Raiders could turn around and package Carr’s trade compensation with more compensation in a possible deal for Watson.
So, could Watson really end up in Las Vegas?
In what can only be described as a fortuitous moment, Gruden gave an interview the day after the report of the Review-Journal exited. The Raiders coach joined the “Cris Collinsworth Podcast with Richard Sherman” this week and he had some interesting things to say about Watson. During a conversation that started with the three guys talking about the Matthew Stafford exchange that sent Jared Goff and two first-round picks to Detroit, Gruden was asked what kind of compensation might be needed to get Watson.
“You know, that’s a great question. I personally see it as a fantasy world here,” said Gruden. “They have a new GM [Nick Caserio] in Houston, who comes from New England, he just spent a year in New England without Tom Brady. I think he has a good idea of how important Deshaun Watson is to Texans. “
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Basically, Gruden doesn’t think the Texans will want to give up their franchise quarterback and, if for some reason, they will need an absurd amount of choices in the first round to release him.
“I don’t think there is any way in the world to trade Deshaun Watson and if they did, the compensation will be like the Rams, you will have to give up seven numbers one, you will never recruit again,” said Gruden.
An interesting thing about Gruden mentioning that it would take seven choices in the first round to get Watson is that the Review-Journal suggested that the Raiders may be willing to give up four. If Vegas got two players in the first round in an exchange for Carr, they would offer those two plus two more in the first round to try to get Watson.
Despite the reported interest, Gruden continued to insist that he thinks Watson will remain in Houston.
“I just think there’s a lot going on,” said Gruden. “Deshaun is a great player, he is a great boy and I am sure he is very moved now, for a number of reasons on and off the field. I have a lot of confidence in him that he will be a great defender for a long time in Houston. He has already signed the contract and will be a big part of the reconstruction. “
If Watson does not end up in Las Vegas, he will go elsewhere and if you want to check a list of 13 possible landing locations for the Texas quarterback, click here.