Deshaun Watson next team and franchise odds: Where next for the Houston Texans' quarterback?

Exactly one year ago the Texans led the Kansas City Chiefs 24-0 in the Divisional round. This is the precise point where the franchise fell apart. Just days later and Bill O’Brien was named as general manager.

In this position, he orchestrated the widely criticised DeAndre Hopkins trade, and arguably overpaid for Laremy Tunsil with two first round picks as compensation. At the time of the Hopkins trade, Watson registered his anger levels at a two-out-of-ten, but earlier this week Watson Tweeted "was on 2 then I took it to 10."

A torrid season, with a failure to improve the roster and an unclear direction from the ownership have driven Watson to the point where he won’t answer calls from the Texans brass, and there is a growing sense from people around the Texans’ organisation that the quarterback has played his last snap for the team.

Owner Cal McNair promised Watson he would be involved in the search for a new general manager, and assist in the decision on a new head coach. Without any input from Watson, Nick Caserio was named GM, and then the Texans declined to interview the two head coach candidates Watson recommended – Robert Saleh & Eric Bieniemy – to the outrage of their quarterback.

Watson's time at the Texans now appears to be over after reports emerged on Thursday afternoon that he had requested a trade away from the franchise. That will alert teams around the NFL to the possibility of securing a blockbuster deal for the quarterback.

Watson is just 25-years-old and already one of the best in his position in the league. The Texans have been searching for a player of his calibre since their formation, so trading him away would seem barbaric – but it is now out of their hands. This trade would be franchise-altering, so which teams are realistic trade partners? Matt Temple-Marsh and Ross Williams look at the options.

New York Jets

Sky Bet odds: 9/4

Outside of staying with the Texans, the Jets are the front runners to land Watson. Armed with a bounty of draft capital, a plethora of cap space and a new-look coaching staff, the Jets are an exciting option.

Watson recommended Saleh as a head coach candidate for the Texans, but they declined to even interview him (they were the only team with a vacant HC position to not interview Saleh). The 49ers defensive co-ordinator is now head coach with the Jets, and Watson clearly admires his work.

The Texans would be compensated with an array of first round picks, including the number two spot in this years’ draft – where they could select Ohio State’s Justin Fields, a star prospect.

The final nail in the coffin? Watson recently liked an Instagram post with him on the cover of the New York Post, with the title explaining how the Jets need to pursue him. Instagram journalism is real, and Watson is loving the rumours.

Carolina Panthers

Sky Bet odds: 7/2

An option that has picked up speed in recent days, and one we certainly shouldn’t discount.

The likes of New York and Miami have been in pole position from the start here, as they carry the most ammunition and perhaps – due to their location - the most appeal to Watson. However, if the Texans are going to trade away their most-prized asset, do they really want to send him to a team within the same conference?

Houston may not feel the effects of a trade within the AFC right away, but every indication shows that Watson is going to be an elite quarterback in this league for the next decade at least, so the Texans would be smart to avoid facing him down the stretch as much as possible.

Sending Watson to Carolina would mean Houston would only see him once every four years (unless they were to meet in a Super Bowl) and this seems like a much smarter option.

The Texans could also benefit greatly in the short-term, as any deal would almost certainly include the 8th overall pick in the 2021 Draft and a very able veteran in Teddy Bridgewater, who could start week one, while mentoring a rookie quarterback picked up with the aforementioned draft pick. Plus, they could also realistically demand the services of Christian McCaffrey, who is simply the most dangerous weapon in the NFL when he’s at full health, and an offensive cornerstone that the Texans could build around.

This trade could awaken a monster down in South Carolina, introducing Watson to a young Matt Rhule offence with bags of potential, but that wouldn’t worry the Texans too much for the reasons mentioned previously.

A trade involving McCaffrey would easily be the biggest in NFL history, but there’s no question both sides of this deal would be mutually interested, now that Watson has proceeded in pressing the eject button.

Miami Dolphins

Sky Bet odds: 8/1

Prior to the talk around the Jets & Panthers, Miami looked to be the most logical destination for Deshaun Watson, for a whole host of reasons. Most notably, draft capital is certainly not a problem. The Texans would own the 3rd overall pick in April’s Draft, had they not used the selection to prise away offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.

The Dolphins could kick-start negotiations by offering Houston their original pick back, along with a host of other sweeteners in what could be a very tempting package indeed.

The elephant in the room here is Tua Tagovailoa, but there is a growing feeling around the league that Brian Flores and co. aren’t entirely sold on the man they drafted last year to fill the void at quarterback. Although the former Alabama passer may one day grow into the star they hoped they’d drafted, Deshaun Watson is a clear upgrade right now and, frankly, he would make the Dolphins a serious playoff contender from day one.

If Watson’s situation in Houston really is damaged beyond repair, perhaps Tua heads the other way – along with a bunch of picks - and fills the immediate hole in the Texans’ offence? This deal could work out for both sides, long term.

San Francisco 49ers

Sky Bet odds: 16/1

This is certainly more of an outside shot, but it makes perfect sense. The 9ers are a year removed from the Super Bowl, and have a legitimate top-five roster in the NFL. Their Achilles-heel? Quarterback. Jimmy Garoppolo is a capable QB but he’s more than error prone, and not a perfect fit in Shanahan’s offence. Just imagine Watson under centre, paired with a bruising running game, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and more.

You can argue that San Francisco would be Watson’s preferred landing spot – they’re a Super Bowl ready team, and there is of course some more Instagram journalism. A 49ers fan account posted a photo of Watson in a Joe Montana jersey, and the QB commented saying “Dope pic”. Take this all with a pinch of salt, but the 9ers make perfect sense.

Their front office is known to be aggressive, and they have the cap space to accommodate the contract. Sending up to three first round picks, Jimmy G (to serve as a bridge QB in Houston) and perhaps another starter will be enough to see Watson in the Bay area.

A crucial point to add is this trade would send Watson to the NFC, away from the Texans’ conference. If a trade were to happen this would definitely be the Texans’ desired situation.

Houston Texans

Sky Bet odds: 7/2

Everybody wants to see a trade happen. Watson deserves a new team, but it made absolutely no sense for the Texans to start over. They are the youngest franchise in the NFL, and they’ve been searching for a quarterback like Watson since they were founded. However, Thursday's news surely changes that.

It was very hard to picture Nick Caserio’s first job as GM being to trade away their best player, but reports of a request will surely force him to make a move. It's now his task to find the best possible return for Watson.

Trades always look fun on paper, but in reality first round picks are a complete lottery, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Just go back over the last few years and you will find names like Dwayne Haskins, Josh Rosen, Paxton Lynch, Johnny Manziel and more (all drafted in the first-round). No matter who they draft with these acquired picks, there is no guarantee they will be a success.

The Texans hit the jackpot with Watson, and they needed to do all they can to keep him. Just how easy that will now be remains to be seen. Unfortunately for them, the player holds the power in this situation and they have found that out the hard way.

From odds-on favourites to 7/2 outsiders, it looks as if Watson is on his way out of the franchise.

Odds correct at 1500 GMT (28/01/21)

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