Do not dismiss the Philadelphia Eagles as a strong contender for Deshaun Watson. Many sources connected to the property whispered this feeling so that I would ignore it.
And the more you think about it, the more sense it makes. The more you wonder why you haven’t explored the avenue before. The more you ponder why more is not being reported on this front. Because the craziest things happened in the league, by far.
The Texans’ signature of potential bridge holder Tyrod Taylor on Tuesday only increased sentiment among NFL executives inclined to believe that Watson will be negotiated … and that he will be negotiated before the draft. Even some of the skeptics raised an eyebrow or two. It is indisputable that the Eagles are monitoring and assessing Watson’s situation. No one in that organization would deny that.
The Eagles are always among the most aggressive exploration businesses, and general manager Howie Roseman is as willing a negotiator as he is in the NFL. Blockbuster trades are a particular specialty, including unconventional trades (that is, the Carson Wentz trades they conducted). Some at the head of the Eagles would try to reject the idea of their interest by noting that there must be about 30 teams paying close attention to this situation, but my feeling is that this is much more than a peripheral idea; I have a feeling that this is something that the property and management would very much like to see happen.
“I heard that it is very much related to the level of ownership,” as a league source said.
“No action for the Eagles,” said a GM. “You have to be killing them.”
Another GM said, “Would Howie negotiating with Watson surprise me? No. Now that you mention it.”
This was the start of the year for the most docile league in the recent history of the Eagles, with no action outside of Wentz’s eviction of wages. Then again, this franchise also ranks with the sixth overall choice – they rarely take it that high – and with Jalen Hurts unproven at the top of the quarterback depth chart and probably much more than having one of the first two or three quarterbacks stay with them in the draft. Why go up to something much less than certain, when you could package that starting capital for Watson, instead?
The Eagles have four of the first 85 choices in this draft, and perhaps a future first rounder coming their way, depending on how the Colts do with Wentz. They do not hesitate to negotiate several asset projects to get a quarterback they want, and I am old enough to remember 2016, when the Eagles moved from eighth to second place to select Wentz – giving up on eighth choice, 77th choice and the 100th choice in 2016, plus the first choice in 2017 and the second in 2018.
Putting Watson at the peak of a fair long-term deal is worth a similar package, with them holding 10 choices in all in this draft, including Friday, 37th, 70th and 85th. This could boost the Texans’ rebuilding and it’s not mandatory for them to get their QB right now, although if you love Trey Lance in eighth place, it’s probably all yours. Play in the future one and two, and maybe a player.
Remember, Jeffrey Lurie is always a willing spender, and the limit will jump by leaps and bounds in 2023. They will be out of Wentz’s dead limit by then and the East NFC is stinking, so it doesn’t take much to earn this. This organization is recalibrating and a setback in 2021 may or may not be true for Watson – but with him in his 20s, this is not the end of the world, either. Time is on their side.
In short, as far as we know that the Panthers want it, and the Patriots will probably want it too, and the 49ers are watching and maybe it makes sense for Miami too, it does the same – if not more – sense for Philly. And that fits perfectly into the Eagles’ organizational DNA. At the very least, they will explore that possibility seriously.
Bears are content with Andy Dalton
I told you a week ago that the Bears were hot and heavy for Russell Wilson. Frankly, they got out of the chase a little earlier, but again, they found ways to ruin the QB’s position in every way possible.
If Wilson is dealt, he will be close to the draft – possibly even after June 1st – and if the opportunity cost of losing to Andy Dalton is the price you pay for being in Wilson’s derby in the end, well, you did pay one price? Anyone who, as previously reported, the Bears took the transfer of Ben Roethlisberger seriously if Pittsburgh released him and also worked a lot on Jamies Winston, I was told, probing employees of his former team, Tampa, about him and investing in the process . He chose to stay in New Orleans. Because of course he would choose that option over the Bears.
Which led them to probably overpay Dalton, when they were already overpaying Nick Foles, which they gave up on value to acquire a year ago. Sad.
Perspective draft
Conversations with several general managers and executives left me convinced that, except for a dramatic change in the process – an injury or something unforeseen surfacing -, Jets’ focus is on BYU quarterback Zach Wilson from now on. Several teams that are in the top 10 are operating as if that were what would happen next month.
And I continue to hear that the Dolphins have already announced that they are open for business with the third general choice (which they stole from the Texans in the trade of Laremy Tunsil). But there is a problem – they don’t want to go down too much because they’re super high on both Alabama receivers and they want to be in a position to land one of them (which may also help explain the very slow moving receiver market with free agency, with Dolphins considered by many to be one of Kenny Golladay’s top destinations).
Both are expected to reach the top 10, perhaps close to the top five.
Could Carolina negotiate up to three to get a QB if the Panthers tried to negotiate for Watson? Right. But the GMs I’m talking to believe that a team is much more likely to move to third place overall with a tackle on the left than with a QB. Because the Falcons and Bengals, who chose fourth and fifth place, must attack the first two tackles.
Patriots play catch-up
Expect to hear a lot of rumors about the Patriots’ ostentatious boast being linked to former executive Nick Caserio. That’s how the narrative circulates – Caserio spoiled the last three drafts and now Bill Belichick had to bail them out at a free agency with Caserio going to Houston as his GM. The point is that nothing happens in that building that Belichick does not authorize. Everything there has his fingerprints and draft failures he should use – just like all those championship rings. The responsibility always ends with him, and the issues of construction, design and contract are up to him; the Patriots exploded repeatedly in the positions of skill and it caught up with them and led to this fanfare.
Of course, if the Patriots find a way to consummate a Watson exchange with the Texans, top score for the Hoodie. It works both ways. Continue to hear that nothing is imminent about a deal with Orlando Brown, but there are many reasons for optimism that the Ravens will move him through the draft. The interested teams remain, and pending the final decision by the free agent to deal with Trent Williams – who can raise $ 23 million a year – the trade market can come into focus … If I’m a Bengal fan, I’m going to have a drink or five tonight. Not feeling out of season for them so soon … I really like Jacoby Brissett’s signing to Miami on several levels.