Ever since the regular season ended and the Houston Texans began conducting head coaching and general manager interviews, Deshaun Watson has wanted out of the organization. Watson, 25, was committed to the Texans before they broke a promise by disregarding their commitment of including him in the coaching vacancies. Now, it appears he has a lot of interest in joining either the Miami Dolphins or New York Jets.
Watson has a no trade clause on his contract, but reports recently came out and said he would be willing to waive his no trade clause if an offer came about for a handful of teams. One of the teams that is rumored to have heavy interest is the Jets.
The Jets, who were in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes all season before a sudden victory helped them fall into the second pick category, were looking like they would be drafting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, due to the Jets’ salary cap situation and and promising pieces, the Jets may have other plans before the NFL Draft.
Deshaun Watson is going to be a hot commodity this offseason, but the Texans won’t let him go unless the price is right. Here’s a look at three reasons why the Jets should attempt to trade for Deshaun Watson.
3. Watson Wants to Play There
It’s hard for the Jets to find players who actually want to play for their organization, especially after the season they just had, so when Deshaun Watson was reported to be welcome to a trade to the Jets, it took everyone by surprise. That reason alone should be enough for the Jets to come knocking down the Texans’ doors trying to land Watson.
Watson must see some potential in the Jets that literally nobody else sees, because if you turn on the game film from the past few years, they seem to be a bit of a dumpster fire offensively. While Watson wants to play for the Jets, he likely understands the team won’t be in the Super Bowl overnight.
Going to the Jets would be the first piece of a very complicated puzzle for New York to get back into the playoffs, but his willingness to go to the organization is already a great start.
2. Jets Could Pick Elsewhere At No. 2 Overall
If Deshaun Watson were dealt to the New York Jets, that would give the Jets the incredible opportunity to pick a different position with the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, although that pick may have to be included in the trade. One of the things the Jets will need to do if they land Watson is to build around him, and the Jets would be able to land some elite talent with a top two pick.
The player that the Jets should go after if they land Watson is Penei Sewell. Sewell is a 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive tackle from the University of Oregon and he would likely be the first overall pick if Lawrence wasn’t in this draft.
Sewell is one of best offensive line prospects the NFL has seen since Eric Fisher, and he could be a crucial selection to help keep Watson upright. Protecting their investment in Watson would be crucial if they land him and drafting Penei Sewell with the second overall pick would do wonders to help their team.
1. Jets Would Be Competitive Again
The last time the New York Jets had a competitive football team, Mark Sanchez was at quarterback and Rex Ryan was in the prime of his coaching career. If the Jets landed Watson, however, you could never count them out of a football game.
Deshaun Watson, many times in Houston, has literally put the team on his back and carried the Texans to victory, and he could look to do the same in New York. Watson is an elite talent and if the Jets built around him and surrounded him with the talent he wants on the team, he could lead the Jets to success.
I’ll put it to you this way. If the Jets can somehow manage to pull off a trade for Watson, they may literally have their best quarterback taking snaps since Joe Namath helped lead the team to their lone Super Bowl win. New York needs to make this trade if at all possible.
