The possibility of Deshaun Watson becoming available on the trade market has NFL teams salivating at the chance to grab a 25-year-old franchise quarterback.
Washington legend Joe Theismann, however, has an issue with Watson’s actions.
Appearing on The Team 980, Theismann said Wednesday he was bothered by Watson’s trade request from the Houston Texans. He pointed to the four-year, $156 million contract that Watson signed in September and said Watson should honor the agreement.
“Four months into a new (contract) and now you’re not happy?” Theismann said. “Why did you sign the deal?”
Watson is reportedly dissatisfied with owner Cal McNair’s handling of the offseason, which included the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio. Watson wanted to be included on the process, and while McNair reportedly gathered the quarterback’s thoughts, Caserio’s hire was made without letting Watson know.
The Texans are coming off a 4-12 season, but Watson led the league in passing yards. Star defensive end J.J. Watt told Watson that the team “wasted” one of his prime years at the end of the season.
Theismann, though, said he wouldn’t “go for broke” to acquire Watson, if he ran an NFL team. He questioned the quarterback’s qualifications for having a say over personnel matters. He then compared Watson’s demand to the NBA, a league in which players have seemingly more control over their situations by trying to force trades.
“The Watson (situation), I scratch my head over,” Theismann said. “This isn’t the NBA.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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