Report: Houston Texans 'playing a game of chicken' with Deshaun Watson

The NFL rumor mill was turned on its head this weekend when Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson reported that the Miami Dolphins have emerged as a frontrunner in trade talks for Houston Texans’ star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Now, according to another report, a league source told NBC Sports that the Texans are essentially “playing a game of chicken” with Watson. Even amid Watson’s offseason accusations of sexual assault, the Texans appear to be actively shopping their former first-round pick from Clemson. However, if they are unable to move him, they will owe him $10.54 million for the 2021 season.

Watson, according to NBC Sports, hopes a trade will happen. The Dolphins are still the frontrunners, NBC says.

The Texans appear to have set a very lofty price tag on their star quarterback, according to Robinson.

“Sources tell Yahoo Sports the Dolphins have emerged as the frontrunner in trade discussions with the Texans for QB Deshaun Watson,” Robinson said. “The Texans are seeking 3 first-round picks and 2 second-round picks in negotiations, according to a team that dropped out of trade talks.

“Sources said the Panthers, Broncos and Eagles were also in some element of trade consideration,” Robinson continued. “But Watson’s contractual right to approve the trade destination – which was signed off on by Houston ownership in his last extension – has weighed heavily in trade opportunities.”

Watson has had a stellar four-year career with the Texans, totaling 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He made three Pro Bowl rosters and in 2020 was the NFL’s leader in passing yards with 4,823. A former quarterback for the Clemson Tigers, Watson led them to the College Football playoff twice, including a national championship victory over Alabama in 2017.

What could trade mean for Tua?

Roughly 24 hours after the Dolphins reportedly emerged as a frontrunner for Watson, Dolphins head coach Brian Flores addressed the rumors and reinforced his trust in second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

“I’m very confident in Tua,” Flores said. “He has done a lot of good things. He has played well. My conversations with a player are going to remain between me and that player.”

The Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Coming out of Alabama, Tagovailoa had a great career in Tuscaloosa, completing 69.3 percent of his passes with 7,442 yards, 96 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions in two years as a starter.

When asked directly if the Dolphins are interested in Watson, Flores appeared to have avoided the question, not confirming or denying the franchise’s interest.

“I would say that I’m interested in the players that are on our team,” Flores said. “That’s what I’m interested in. I’m interested in Reid Sinnett, who went out there and played his butt off tonight. I’m interested in Gerrid Doaks, woh we talked about a second ago. I’m interested in the guys that didn’t play today that were focused on our recovery and being fresh for next week. That’s what I would say. I’m interested in the players on the Miami Dolphins.”