I think it's inevitable Deshaun starts for the Texans this year. The real question is what are the Texans' long term plans for him.
On the contrary, it's the best option. Watson has virtually zero trade value right now, and the best way to increase that we can control is having him play. Going from the 10-15th pick to the 1st or 2nd pick in next year's draft isn't nearly as impactful as trading a near-full-value Watson would be. Beyond that, we've seen how Watson can play well and this team can still be hot dog ****. A 4-win or worse season with Watson at QB is not out of the question.
He signed a contract extension less than a year ago, I'm pretty sure Cal want him here for at least the duration of that contract
The problem with this logic is that teams aren't scared off of trading for Deshaun bc they think he can't play. They are scared off by the legal troubles. Everybody already knows what he can do on the football field. You could argue recency makes him more relevant, but I highly doubt it moves the needle on trade value the way you think it does. If Watson clears up his legal issues (in whatever capacity), then his trade value skyrockets. His trade value before next year's draft will also naturally increase. Simple as that.
You're not wrong... but what other choice does each side really have at this juncture? 1. The Texans will probably benefit the most if Watson were to; start, play well, and increase his trade value 2. Watson doesn't want to play for the Texans but he will only benefit from increasing his trade value by playing well, which then would increase his chances of being traded If this happens in the right order and at the right time, the allegations may be something a little less agitating to deal with, especially if you're a team like the Dolphins or Redskins trying to compete for a SB with only Fitzpatrick and Tua available to (somewhat) hold down the fort. Again, this is going to have a lot to do with opportunity and timing.
Eh I'm not so sure. The dude does not want to be here and he has checked out. Texans also have moved on from him, whether he is on the roster or not. All signs point to Taylor being the starter. Texans however, are not going to trade him for peanuts (and rightfully so) just to appease him. So, he's stuck here and he'll be parked on the IR or PUP for whatever bs list until he can get traded, which may not happen this season at all. He can blame himself. He can either about face and commit to the team while he's still here, or sulk quietly while he waits to get traded, whenever that is.
He doesn't have the character for that, he'll blame everyone else but himself for the consequences of his actions.
Decent point, but I do believe in recency bias. If Deshaun is actively tearing it up out there, it can only help his stock. The elephant in the room is the legal trouble, but those problems may not resolve for many more months, and so in the interim the best way to grease the runway for a trade is for him to perform well.
It would be a pretty bad outcome for both parties if Watson is just standing around in street clothes the entire length of his contract.
Not necissarily, the Texans would likely struggle on the field which would lead to better picks allowing them to rebuild. Making Watson sit out his entire contract hurts him a lot more than it hurts anyone else. If he's forced to sit out till 2026, his career is over.
Its really the only way both sides can end up with the conclusion they would like. Watson stock is at the lowest possible point right now. He understands this, and the only way to remind other GMs of his ability is to go out there and do what he does. Build up the value again - teams WILL deal with the injury bug and may get desperate. Sitting out voluntarily or involuntarily is inefficient if looking at things through a business lens. Its not a matter of a fans moral compass because this team has developed a reputation of being basically a church camp and they are even withstanding the terrible publicity so as angry and disgusted as fans are entitled to be Watson playing quarterback for the Texans is the best thing for everyone at this point in time. Just keep it to sport. Keep it to the Texans winning some games and not being the laughingstocks of football again and TRY to get some kind of enjoyment from the season.
Disagree. Watson value has been set by what he has done in his NFL career. No need to build on that. And there is a huge down side, if Watson gets injured, seriously or not.
He would atleast have a run game this year. He’d have some weapons. Defense probably will be trash again.
I don't argue that point, but the risk/reward ratio for him playing well and incrementally improving his trade value vs. him playing and getting injured is not worth it. However, it would be worth it if it brought Deshaun back on board eventually, so that's an important angle to consider as well.
I’d be shocked if we won more than 4 with Watson. This team is not better than last years. I’d say it’s even worse.
