Perhaps the Texans aren’t as opposed to trading Deshaun Watson as they have been indicating.
Houston on Tuesday agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent quarterback Tyrod Taylor worth up to $12.5 million, according to multiple reports. NFL Network reported the base deal is for less than $6 million but has incentives.
The signing provides insurance for the Texans should they cave to Watson’s trade request this offseason. Thus far, the Texans have said Watson is their quarterback and opposing teams have resorted to leaving them voicemails to inquire about a possible trade for the disgruntled 25-year-old Pro Bowler.
Before the 2020 season, Watson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the Texans, but the quarterback grew frustrated with the team’s process in hiring a new general manager and head coach this offseason a year after they traded top receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals.
Taylor, 31, began the 2020 season as the Chargers’ starter after Philip Rivers left for the Colts. He led Los Angeles to a Week 1 win but had his lung punctured by a Chargers doctor who was administering a pain-killing injection before their Week 2 game. Rookie Justin Herbert took over and never looked back, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, another unhappy quarterback, Russell Wilson, appears to have one fewer possible trade destination as the Bears reportedly agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with Andy Dalton, the longtime Bengals starter who spent last season with the Cowboys.
Chicago made a “very aggressive pursuit” for Wilson, according to ESPN, but was told Seattle did not plan on trading its star quarterback at this time.
Wilson and the Seahawks have been at odds, and though Wilson hasn’t requested a trade, his agent said the quarterback would accept a trade to the Cowboys, Bears, Raiders and Saints. The Cowboys just inked Dak Prescott to a $160 million contract and the Bears appear to be content with a short-term fix to their never-ending quarterback quandary.
