J.J. Watt has asked for and been granted his release. The Houston Texans continue to make hires that are deaf to the concerns of their star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, which has led to him asking for a trade.
But where will he land? It’s been THE topic of conversation for the last month.
The Miami Dolphins? The New York Jets? The San Francisco 49ers? The Denver Broncos?
My good friend Ty Dunne, who is writing independently at Go Long, reports that Watson prefers the Dolphins and 49ers.
But every fan base feels like they are the best fit for Watson, but what do you guys think? Where should Watson go, and where will he go?
The Chiefs fan in me hates this but could you imagine the AFCW if he ended up in Denver. Mahomes, Herbert and Watson in the same division would make nearly every divisional game must see for the next decade.
I feel like it's the 49ers. Weapons would be better than in Miami, and even though that is a tough division, the Cardinals aren't there yet, and the Seahawks are frustrating.
I honestly don't see a resolution anytime soon. Teams will keep offering and Texans will keep balking. I could see Deshaun Holding out because he's already been paid. Will the Texans do that? Not likely. So gun to my head: Miami gets him, right before the Draft.
I'd love to see him in Denver. If the Broncos could retain their skills players a Jeudy/Fant/Sutton/Hamler pass catching corps could be just what Watson needs. Plus Fangio will have the defense good enough to always compete.
As a Falcons fan I’m almost willing to bet it’s Carolina. We finally get rid of Brees just to have Brady go to Champa and win a Super Bowl. Watson to Carolina to be the next great QB to destroy our defense twice a year only seems right. 🤦🏻♂️
As a Cardinals fan, I reluctantly say San Francisco. It would make the entire division a complete competitive showcase, and force each team to make winning moves. The Cards desperately need to make more moves too, so it helps us out as well.
Where he will go? Probably Miami or New York. They have the most to give and the most to gain from it.
HOWEVER. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed in Houston.
I think Miami makes the most sense. However I think it will be interesting to see if Houston has the choice between draft capital plus Sam Darnold, or draft capital plus Tua. I think it is a tough call and that could ultimately decide where Watson ends up. Have to think he is okay with being in New York or Miami at this point. Would you rather give Darnold or Tua a chance to lead your franchise?
Love the idea of him going to San Francisco, but not sure if they have the capital compared to the Dolphins/Jets/etc. Lol, maybe Russell Wilson for Watson straight up (kidding)?
Watson to the healthy 9ers I think would make them the super bowl favorite even over the chiefs. And I don’t think that’s a hot take. Emphasis on healthy
Trade him to the lions. Get Goff, the 2 1’s from LA and the Lions 1 this year and next. So it’d be Texans trade: Watson. Lions trade: Goff, 4 1st round picks.
I've been seeing plenty of media members comment that every team would trade for Watson except for the Chiefs. However, as a Chargers fan, I would rather have Herbert due to the rookie contract and not wanting to forgo future picks. I think this feeling would be the same for Bills fans, Ravens fans, Seahawks fans, etc. Because of this, I actually feel like the Watson market is smaller than media members have commented. Yes, many teams would love to have Watson, but a high price tag could leave the trade partner in the Watson deal in a similar situation to that of the 2021 Texans. What do you think?
SF would be the best landing spot. Miami has the capital to get a deal done. Carolina is a good dark horse candidate. One team that would be a big surprise: Minnesota
I’d love to see him on the Panthers with Rhule, Joe Brady, and all those weapons. Not to mention the sick jerseys. Definitely doesn’t have anything to do with my favorite team being in the AFC or anything...
I am a packer fan, and would love for JJ to come to Green Bay. But is he a fit schematically? Does anyone know what the new DC is going to run? Very curious how berry wants to call a defense, and if JJ would fit his style
The Dolphins and Jets are the only two teams with the draft capital to make it happen and if I am Watson I am not going to the Jets. If I am Houston I am holding out for Tua, the two firsts and two seconds from Miami. Houston is starting over and they need draft picks to do it.
I have identified the team down on Buffalo Bayou as the "Quagmire". I did that before when living in Houston and Bud Adams(Finally, Blessedly) fled town. I would call Houston not the Quagmire but now a wasteland for great football talent. Watts, Watson. Fuller won't be back in 2021 my view. If you have talent, do not choose the Texans. It will waste away.
Miami and the 49ers are the obvious choices on the surface, but I wouldn't rule out the Raiders. I think Gruden and Mayock, not only need to make a splash / impact in the AFC, but they are ready to give up the picks & a few young defensive starters.
The dark hours team I feel will be Washington. 3 firsts, Montez sweat and some day two picks. That would be an exciting team and a contender in that division. But realistically I feel it’ll end up being the niners
I think a team that not many are talking about would be the Dallas Cowboys. Reason for this would be they have Prescott who is still under 30 and considered a franchise QB. The Texans are not going to have the draft capital to be picking one of the top guys so getting the Cowboys 1st at pick 10, Prescott, and whatever else is a longshot but something I can see happening as the Texans do not want to try and find another franchise QB in the draft.
Carolina would make a ton of sense, and I think Miami has the most to offer back in a trade, but for the fun of the best football viewing experience? I would say San Francisco. Put him in Shannahan's offense with Little, Deebo, Aiyuk and that run scheme? They'd be a real life Madden offense, IMO.
I think it’s probably between San Francisco and Miami, with Carolina a possibility. I think the Jets have the most assets to offer in a trade, but they’re a long way off from contending. However, if the Jets do a great job at the start of FA (signing Allen Robinson, Joe Thuney, etc) it may become a more enticing place for him.
As a Panthers fan, I'd love to see him in Charlotte but I just don't have much hope it would happen. Outside of that, I'd love to see him go to Miami, if only bc Miami would be trading the Texans' own pick back to them.
Conventional wisdom says they have to get him out of the AFC, right?
But nothing in Houston right now is conventional, or wise, so that's right out the damn window.
I think a lot of organizations would also play chicken here, and say, "you're under contract, play or take the fines." But Easterby Inc. is going to lean into a scientology-light mindset of "we don't want toxic people here," so they bounce him.
The Niners make a lot of sense. Panthers too.
What about the Raiders? The "Gruden is always looking" vibe is just as strong now as ever with the rumblings about moving on from Carr. Again, you'd say that the idea of bringing the other Carr to Houston kills that idea, but who knows what they are thinking in Houston these days.
I think selfishly, that's where I'd like to see him. Could be exciting. And I wonder if it starts to look like Denver is making a real run, LV thinks outbidding DEN to avoid playing him for the next decade is a wise move.
My guess is it would depend on if this trade happens before the draft. If Houston caves and moves him before, then Miami, simply because they have the assets. If not then, maybe San Francisco. I also think there’s a possibility that this just doesn’t happen, and Watson misses all of training camp and the preseason, possibly the first week as well, before hitting the field.
As much as I want to say the 49ers I just don’t know if they’ll give up what the Texans want. I bet he stays in Houston and they call his bluff if he will sit out or not and then he will force there hand but not before October
I think that JJ is going to want to go to a contender. I think he is very aware of the limited nature of an NFL career, and I think he values winning and culture above all else. I think he ends up on a playoff team from this year - with Green Bay (back to Wisconsin), Pittsburgh (family), Baltimore, or New Orleans (Loomis loves to show his pure disdain for the CAP).
I'd love to see Watson in Denver. I know he's a legitimately elite QB, but I do worry about us giving up the future to get him. Apparently HOU wants two young D players, and all of a teams future draft capital? Our D already needs bolstering and I don't really like the idea of starting over with our whole roster and having no draft picks to do it with.
I think bottom line is we have too many holes on the roster and not enough cap space IF we sign him. We would need that cap space to fill those holes, because we likely just gave up all our draft capital. IDK. That's a tough call for me.
I think ultimately he doesn't and we see a Carson Palmer like situation. Where he sits for a bit to prove he is serious and then HOU has to move on. If that happens, I think it'll ultimately change who the potential suitors will be, because some of those teams will likely have addressed the position by then.
Would think the goal is to get him out of the AFC - hard enough to contend with Mahomes (+ Herbert, Allen, Lawrence, etc.) without another young elite QB like Watson. I'd love to see the 49ers so we'd get 12 NFCW games featuring some combo of Watson vs. Wilson vs. Kyler vs. Stafford every season...
Carolina
The Chiefs fan in me hates this but could you imagine the AFCW if he ended up in Denver. Mahomes, Herbert and Watson in the same division would make nearly every divisional game must see for the next decade.
I feel like it's the 49ers. Weapons would be better than in Miami, and even though that is a tough division, the Cardinals aren't there yet, and the Seahawks are frustrating.
I honestly don't see a resolution anytime soon. Teams will keep offering and Texans will keep balking. I could see Deshaun Holding out because he's already been paid. Will the Texans do that? Not likely. So gun to my head: Miami gets him, right before the Draft.
I'd love to see him in Denver. If the Broncos could retain their skills players a Jeudy/Fant/Sutton/Hamler pass catching corps could be just what Watson needs. Plus Fangio will have the defense good enough to always compete.
My dark horse team for him is Carolina. But, I think the best move would be Miami. For all parties.
As a Falcons fan I’m almost willing to bet it’s Carolina. We finally get rid of Brees just to have Brady go to Champa and win a Super Bowl. Watson to Carolina to be the next great QB to destroy our defense twice a year only seems right. 🤦🏻♂️
As a Cardinals fan, I reluctantly say San Francisco. It would make the entire division a complete competitive showcase, and force each team to make winning moves. The Cards desperately need to make more moves too, so it helps us out as well.
Where he will go? Probably Miami or New York. They have the most to give and the most to gain from it.
HOWEVER. I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed in Houston.
I think Miami makes the most sense. However I think it will be interesting to see if Houston has the choice between draft capital plus Sam Darnold, or draft capital plus Tua. I think it is a tough call and that could ultimately decide where Watson ends up. Have to think he is okay with being in New York or Miami at this point. Would you rather give Darnold or Tua a chance to lead your franchise?
Weird feeling it will be Denver, but I would like to see Carolina.
I still say the Panthers are up there. What in the world can San Fran offer that they can’t? They pick in no mans land with no chance of a QB.
If they like Tua, it almost has to be Miami right?
Love the idea of him going to San Francisco, but not sure if they have the capital compared to the Dolphins/Jets/etc. Lol, maybe Russell Wilson for Watson straight up (kidding)?
Watson to the healthy 9ers I think would make them the super bowl favorite even over the chiefs. And I don’t think that’s a hot take. Emphasis on healthy
Trade him to the lions. Get Goff, the 2 1’s from LA and the Lions 1 this year and next. So it’d be Texans trade: Watson. Lions trade: Goff, 4 1st round picks.
I've been seeing plenty of media members comment that every team would trade for Watson except for the Chiefs. However, as a Chargers fan, I would rather have Herbert due to the rookie contract and not wanting to forgo future picks. I think this feeling would be the same for Bills fans, Ravens fans, Seahawks fans, etc. Because of this, I actually feel like the Watson market is smaller than media members have commented. Yes, many teams would love to have Watson, but a high price tag could leave the trade partner in the Watson deal in a similar situation to that of the 2021 Texans. What do you think?
SF would be the best landing spot. Miami has the capital to get a deal done. Carolina is a good dark horse candidate. One team that would be a big surprise: Minnesota
Well if it was 2017, he would end up in Chicago. But since it isn't....Miami I guess
49ers it’s destiny should of drafted him I wanted him bad after watching him vs Alabama feel like sometimes people over think things on draft day
Miami have got to be the front runners, their draft capitol alone eclipses almost every other team!
I’d love to see him on the Panthers with Rhule, Joe Brady, and all those weapons. Not to mention the sick jerseys. Definitely doesn’t have anything to do with my favorite team being in the AFC or anything...
I am a packer fan, and would love for JJ to come to Green Bay. But is he a fit schematically? Does anyone know what the new DC is going to run? Very curious how berry wants to call a defense, and if JJ would fit his style
The Dolphins and Jets are the only two teams with the draft capital to make it happen and if I am Watson I am not going to the Jets. If I am Houston I am holding out for Tua, the two firsts and two seconds from Miami. Houston is starting over and they need draft picks to do it.
Gotta think that the best fit would be the niners...
any team that has a GM & HC that work closely together to build a team...er... unless that HC and GM are BO'B.
I have identified the team down on Buffalo Bayou as the "Quagmire". I did that before when living in Houston and Bud Adams(Finally, Blessedly) fled town. I would call Houston not the Quagmire but now a wasteland for great football talent. Watts, Watson. Fuller won't be back in 2021 my view. If you have talent, do not choose the Texans. It will waste away.
Miami and the 49ers are the obvious choices on the surface, but I wouldn't rule out the Raiders. I think Gruden and Mayock, not only need to make a splash / impact in the AFC, but they are ready to give up the picks & a few young defensive starters.
If the Texans have a brain in their head, they'll go were they can recoup a big haul . Dolphins or Jets have most to offer!
The dark hours team I feel will be Washington. 3 firsts, Montez sweat and some day two picks. That would be an exciting team and a contender in that division. But realistically I feel it’ll end up being the niners
The Bucs, Packers, or Jets...I wouldnt rule out NE either
If i was Houston i call Miami Get a package of Tua and picks and move on , This is a rebuild anyway
I think a team that not many are talking about would be the Dallas Cowboys. Reason for this would be they have Prescott who is still under 30 and considered a franchise QB. The Texans are not going to have the draft capital to be picking one of the top guys so getting the Cowboys 1st at pick 10, Prescott, and whatever else is a longshot but something I can see happening as the Texans do not want to try and find another franchise QB in the draft.
Outside of the 49ers, who do you think is the favorite NFC team to trade for Watson?
I am more curious as to where JJ ends up. Thoughts?? I’m thinking Titans
Miami or the Jets
Carolina would make a ton of sense, and I think Miami has the most to offer back in a trade, but for the fun of the best football viewing experience? I would say San Francisco. Put him in Shannahan's offense with Little, Deebo, Aiyuk and that run scheme? They'd be a real life Madden offense, IMO.
I think it’s probably between San Francisco and Miami, with Carolina a possibility. I think the Jets have the most assets to offer in a trade, but they’re a long way off from contending. However, if the Jets do a great job at the start of FA (signing Allen Robinson, Joe Thuney, etc) it may become a more enticing place for him.
As a Panthers fan, I'd love to see him in Charlotte but I just don't have much hope it would happen. Outside of that, I'd love to see him go to Miami, if only bc Miami would be trading the Texans' own pick back to them.
Conventional wisdom says they have to get him out of the AFC, right?
But nothing in Houston right now is conventional, or wise, so that's right out the damn window.
I think a lot of organizations would also play chicken here, and say, "you're under contract, play or take the fines." But Easterby Inc. is going to lean into a scientology-light mindset of "we don't want toxic people here," so they bounce him.
The Niners make a lot of sense. Panthers too.
What about the Raiders? The "Gruden is always looking" vibe is just as strong now as ever with the rumblings about moving on from Carr. Again, you'd say that the idea of bringing the other Carr to Houston kills that idea, but who knows what they are thinking in Houston these days.
I think selfishly, that's where I'd like to see him. Could be exciting. And I wonder if it starts to look like Denver is making a real run, LV thinks outbidding DEN to avoid playing him for the next decade is a wise move.
The only logical choice is Miami. They have Tua and the draft choices to make it work.
Hopefully Miami 🐬
I would like to see him in the NFC like Carolina or Chicago but I’m guessing it will be San Fran or Miami
Miami has more trade assets currently (in terms of picks), but I also think he'll end up in the NFC at either Carolina or Washington
My guess is it would depend on if this trade happens before the draft. If Houston caves and moves him before, then Miami, simply because they have the assets. If not then, maybe San Francisco. I also think there’s a possibility that this just doesn’t happen, and Watson misses all of training camp and the preseason, possibly the first week as well, before hitting the field.
As much as I want to say the 49ers I just don’t know if they’ll give up what the Texans want. I bet he stays in Houston and they call his bluff if he will sit out or not and then he will force there hand but not before October
I think that JJ is going to want to go to a contender. I think he is very aware of the limited nature of an NFL career, and I think he values winning and culture above all else. I think he ends up on a playoff team from this year - with Green Bay (back to Wisconsin), Pittsburgh (family), Baltimore, or New Orleans (Loomis loves to show his pure disdain for the CAP).
I'd love to see Watson in Denver. I know he's a legitimately elite QB, but I do worry about us giving up the future to get him. Apparently HOU wants two young D players, and all of a teams future draft capital? Our D already needs bolstering and I don't really like the idea of starting over with our whole roster and having no draft picks to do it with.
I think bottom line is we have too many holes on the roster and not enough cap space IF we sign him. We would need that cap space to fill those holes, because we likely just gave up all our draft capital. IDK. That's a tough call for me.
I think ultimately he doesn't and we see a Carson Palmer like situation. Where he sits for a bit to prove he is serious and then HOU has to move on. If that happens, I think it'll ultimately change who the potential suitors will be, because some of those teams will likely have addressed the position by then.
As a NYJ fan, I'd love it if he ended up there. If not, then anyplace but Miami.
I think Carolina. Out of the confrence, top 8 pick this year, another next year, add in teddy just until houston re-adjusts
Would think the goal is to get him out of the AFC - hard enough to contend with Mahomes (+ Herbert, Allen, Lawrence, etc.) without another young elite QB like Watson. I'd love to see the 49ers so we'd get 12 NFCW games featuring some combo of Watson vs. Wilson vs. Kyler vs. Stafford every season...