Oddsmakers make Commanders, Bucs favorites to be Deshaun Watson’s Next Team
DraftKings Sportsbook made odds available to wager on who Deshaun Watson’s next team will be. He’s currently rostered by the Houston Texans, but Watson didn’t play a single game last season, and it’s been quite a calendar year-plus for the 26-year-old quarterback.
Watson demanded a trade in January 2021, and then the following month, he threatened to sit out games if he wasn’t dealt to another organization. Things worsened in March 2021, as Watson has been mired in a messy legal situation since.
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He currently faces criminal and civil cases. A grand jury is expected to make a decision on whether or not Watson will be charged criminally, and if any potential charges will be of the felony or misdemeanor severity by April 1.
However, there are 22 civil cases, and they could linger on much longer.
Needless to say, while there are numerous teams reportedly interested in acquiring Watson from the Texans, there are still a lot of unknowns.
Plus, Watson will also have to waive his no-trade clause before a transaction can be finalized.
Here are the current odds: (via DraftKings)
There are a lot of quarterback-needy franchises atop the list, but there are also a number of proven signal callers rumored to be available this offseason, and the 2022 NFL Draft will also provide teams an opportunity to sure up the position.
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The Commanders open as the betting favorite, and for good reason. The franchise swung and missed on Dwayne Haskins in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and currently has undrafted free-agent Taylor Heinicke, 38-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick and third-stringer Kyle Allen on the depth chart.
With Tom Brady recently announcing his retirement, Tampa Bay also has a glaring need at quarterback. Florida product Kyle Trask flashed potential with the Gators as a senior, but the Buccaneers are likely looking for a more proven option to run the offense.
Similarly, Pittsburgh will be looking for a replacement for recently retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and New Orleans’ QB depth chart is a giant question mark. Jameis Winston is a free agent, and Taysom Hill has a long recovery ahead after sustaining a Lisfranc injury in his left foot.
Miami has long been tied to Watson, but nothing has ever come to fruition, whereas he’s already suggested he would use his no-trade clause to block a move to Carolina. Additionally, Denver appears more connected to Aaron Rodgers, and Minnesota already has Kirk Cousins under contract.
Expect Watson to be dealt ahead of the NFL Draft in April.
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