NFL trade rumors are heating up with the November 2 deadline fast approaching. The latest buzz indicates that Deshaun Watson might be headed to the Miami Dolphins. Longtime NFL reporter John McClain wrote the following for the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday:
The Texans could finally be getting closer to trading quarterback Deshaun Watson to the Miami Dolphins — a team they play Nov. 7. Even though the NFL trading deadline isn’t until Nov. 2, a deal could go down this week, according to people familiar with the negotiations.If the Texans and Dolphins are unable to consummate the trade this week, they want to get it done by the league’s deadline. The Dolphins have been talking to the Texans about Watson off and on for months, and those talks have intensified into serious negotiations. After losing to Jacksonville in London — their fifth consecutive loss — the Dolphins seem more determined to finally execute the Watson trade.
It’s not hard to believe the Dolphins are in desperation mode after dropping to 1-5. Seeing them already give up on Tua Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, would be surprising to some but it’s possible they’ve accepted he’s a sunk cost.
The Dolphins trading for Watson would be of interest to the Eagles for two reasons.
1) It would confirm that Watson won’t be heading to the Eagles. Philly was heavily connected to Watson in the offseason.
2) Assuming Watson is permitted to play (he’s yet to face any discipline despite facing no shortage of sexual assault allegations), he makes the Dolphins a better team. And Miami getting better would be bad for the Eagles since Philly owns Miami’s 2022 first-round pick.
But apparently Watson to the Dolphins might not be a guarantee. The Athletic’s reporting acknowledges Houston’s talks with Miami are “serious” but “a deal does not appear to be imminent.”
The Athletic also notes that two other teams might still be in the mix. You’re probably familiar with one of them.
The Houston Chronicle first reported on Wednesday that a trade for Watson could be coming this week. The Texans have been asking teams for three first-round draft picks and two or three more assets, including a collection of picks or players, according to a source.
In addition to the Dolphins, the Texans have had recent discussions with the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, according to sources. However, the seriousness of those discussions — ranging from a casual conversation to actual trade negotiations — hasn’t been disclosed.
Perhaps the Eagles and/or Panthers are being used as a way for the Texans to leverage the Dolphins into giving up more assets for Watson. Houston stands to benefit from the perception of a competitive market for their quarterback.
Still, from an Eagles perspective, it’s interesting to hear they haven’t necessarily closed the door entirely on trading from Watson. On October 1, reputable NFL insider Jay Glazer said the Eagles were “not in the mix” for Watson “at this point.” Perhaps Jalen Hurts’ struggles motivated them to revisit the possibility.
It’s previously been reported that Watson prefers playing for the Dolphins and that matters because he has a no-trade clause. He reportedly doesn’t have interest in playing for Philly, though that might change if they’re the only team willing to take a chance on him.
While it seems like Watson will probably end up in Miami, it also seems like there’s still a non-zero chance he ends up with the Eagles. We’ll just have to wait and see what shakes out. Resolution might be coming sooner than later.