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The Houston Texans apparently think they will win a loose affair with fullback Deshaun Watson. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle know that the team will not do it.
McClain, who has covered the Texans since their debut in 2002 and the Houston Oilers before them, makes the case that the time has come for the Texans to trade Watson. McClain’s voice is important; he has been a part of Houston’s sport for decades. His words have an impact. His voice has influence. Any Texans fan who does not yet understand and support Watson’s concerns will probably do so as soon as they read McClain’s column on the matter.
Many national voices have been saying for weeks what McClain is currently saying. It will be much harder for the Texans to ignore McClain than for the team to ignore the opinions of outsiders.
McClain also makes a point locally that some have made nationally: the Texans should try to throw the Jets against the Dolphins for Watson, which could cause a bidding war that the Texans will get even more for Watson.
There are conflicting reports about whether Watson wants to play for the Jets. The challenge for Watson is to find a new team that, if he gives up what he needs to get Watson, will not plunge into an eternal 6-10 cycle during Watson’s first years. The Dolphins, with third-overall pick (from Houston) and second-year full-back Tua Tagovailoa, apparently have the ammunition to make the deal without compromising the team’s current course.
The Dolphins are also very apt to admit that Tagovailoa is unlikely to become one when it comes to shortlisted franchise quarters.
Whether it’s the Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, 49ers, Panthers or anyone else, McClain’s right. The Texans have to accept reality and now get the best price for Watson. Over time, interested teams will move on to other options to downsize the universe of potential Watson destinations. There is little doubt that Watson will stay away from the team, which means that the Texans must be prepared not to have Watson this year and get nothing in return for him other than the $ 20.2 million he would forfeit and / or would pay for it. the privilege of not playing for the Texans.
This money, although barely changing, will do nothing to make a bad team better. Snatching at Watson will also not do much to persuade players with options to pick the Texans.
This is the other issue that the Texans need to address. Other players are watching this steamy barrel of dysfunction, looking for signs that the Texans are willing and able to acknowledge their idiosyncratic course and turn things around. This is not the way to set up a season-long departure with Watson; acknowledging responsibility for the deterioration of the relationship becomes the first step in convincing others that the Texans understand what it will take to start acting like a normal NFL franchise.
Getting rid of Jack Easterby will not hurt either. But the Texans have to learn to walk again before they can learn to run again.