The real reason Texans didn't trade Deshaun Watson to the Dolphins

It’s been a while since Deshaun Watson made the NFL news for his talents or leading the Houston Texans to a win. Instead, it’s all been trade rumors and his legal situation that’s kept him on the headlines.

Not many people expected Watson to be traded this season amid his legal turmoil, let alone play a single snap. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty of interest in his services as the season winds down.

But, with the trade deadline upon us, it doesn’t seem like the HoustonTexans will move their starting quarterback, as they reportedly drove his trade price up to kill a trade to the Miami Dolphins.

Texans Took Deshaun Watson’s Price Up To Kill Trade To Dolphins

“The increased demands caused the talks to crater. Now, the primary impediment is the gap between what the Texans want and what the Dolphins will offer. That could change as the deadline arrives, because in the NFL and most other businesses deadlines drive action,” reported ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.

Panthers Also Want To Trade For Watson

The Dolphins aren’t the only team looking to trade for the disgruntled star, as the Carolina Panthers have seen enough of Sam Darnold to figure out that he’s not a franchise quarterback. Nonetheless, Watson’s contract situation makes it trickier:

(Transcript via ESPN)

“The Dolphins are the only team that Watson is known to have waived his no-trade clause for, according to sources. Watson has not done the same for the Carolina Panthers or any other team, sources told ESPN.

But the Panthers have been linked to Watson, 26, since last offseason, and some even have speculated on what a proposed package for the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback would look like.

(…) Talks between the Texans and Panthers never escalated because Watson did not agree to waive his no-trade clause for Carolina, which therefore was never was in position to evaluate potential trade scenarios the way the organization wanted. The Panthers, with the history that former owner Jerry Richardson had involving harassment, were unwilling to make a trade until they could be entirely comfortable with it.”

As of now, it doesn’t seem like a trade is imminent. The Clemson product might as well settle his lawsuits and get clearance from the league to play again, so we don’t expect him to be moved any time soon.