The new Denver Broncos, GM George Paton, said in his opening statement that he had informed his hire that he intended to be “aggressive but not reckless” in compiling the list. Just over a day later, Paton told the team website that the Broncos “will be involved in every deal.”
This is the basis for the latest version of the Deshaun Watson trade rumors. Although Watson has yet to officially request a trade from the Texans, ESPN reports that sources in Houston believe that the disgruntled quarter last played for the team that placed him number 12 overall in 2017.
This excitement led to the strangers starting to take bets seriously on where Watson could land next – if he was indeed traded. According to SportsBetting.com, the Broncos have a 5/1 chance to land the three-time Pro Bowler, who is the fourth best in the NFL.
What happens next for the Broncos? Do not miss any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get daily news about Broncos at your inbox!
The teams ahead of Denver in the Watson trade games are the New York Jets (2/1), Miami Dolphins (3/1) and Chicago Bears (4/1). Again, the Broncos go in at number 4 with 5/1 chance, followed by Indianapolis Colts at number 5 with 8/1 chance.
What at first looked like a pipe dream suddenly became more and more realistic. Ten days ago, the idea of the Texans trading Watson was unthinkable.
The Texans may have had an unforgettable season, but were only removed a few months to give Watson a four-year, $ 156 million contract extension to new money. He fully guaranteed $ 73.716 million at the time of signing.
It’s a big commitment to the QB, which makes the Houston owner’s behavior all the more disturbing. Watson was reportedly told by the McNair family that he would help select the Texans’ next GM and head coach.
Houston has hired former Patriots staff tsar Nick Caserio to back up the Brinks truck to make him possibly the highest paid GM in the NFL. Watson was not consulted about the lease.
This is what Watson turned off and now the Texans are in a pickle. Time will tell that Houston can save this thing with the 25-year-old Watson, but to trade him, based on the most recent report on inner circles, has become a clear possibility, so much so that the strangers are daring.
Is the level of an instant trade something Paton would see in his first season as Broncos GM? I doubt, mostly because of the king’s ransom to take Watson out of Houston’s hands.
Paton can see if Houston’s question will be, but suffice it to say: the Broncos will have to be willing to not only take up Watson’s solid contract, but also give up proverbial farming. Such a move would require at least two first choices of the first round, if not three, and perhaps even a few seconds to say goodbye.
“You really need to know where you are as a team and what in turn determines your aggression,” Paton told the team website last week. “But I think you’re involved in every transaction that’s there, and then you can discuss and work together and just decide if you want to make the leap. It’s really important to be involved in everything so you do not miss an agreement that “Come to you. So we will be aggressive – involved – but that does not mean we are going to jump.”
Meanwhile, Denver insiders like Woody Paige report that Drew Lock will once again be the forerunner of the Broncos and that John Elway and Vic Fangio are campaigning for Paton to play together. Another year with Lock at the center is the likely end result, but as Paton looks into the league, exploring the 2021 draft class and finally deciding that Lock is the best option, the Broncos expect to sign a more capable and proven veteran to support him. on.
As far as Watson is concerned, this is a situation to monitor. But Broncos fans, and I really mean it, should not let their hopes rise.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.