A rumor surfaced on Tuesday linking Deshaun Watson to the San Francisco 49ers, but it was quickly dismissed by almost every beat writer who covers the team. If it were true, however, it sounds like Watson would be willing to add last year’s NFC runner-up to his growing list.
Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Watson was expected to meet with the Niners. The report was shot down by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area and several others. While the meeting may not be happening, Watson is said to have interest in playing in San Francisco.
NFL Media’s Jim Trotter laid out a complicated scenario on Wednesday for how the 49ers could, hypothetically, get involved in the Watson sweepstakes. He said Watson has expressed interest in the Niners privately, but noted that San Francisco lacks the draft capital that would be needed to make a trade. That’s because they moved up in the first round last year to get Trey Lance.
Where things could potentially get complicated is if Watson were only willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Niners. Here’s more from Trotter:
Then, DW and his team would have to broker a deal knowing that SF does not have the draft capitol that HOU desires. It could become a game of chicken then: DW couldn’t threaten to sit out a second season, but would he?
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) March 16, 2022
But at this time the 49ers are not interested in creating unnecessary drama. They like Trey Lance and are happy with him. But at the same time it could be considered foolish not to seriously look into Watson if a deal can be done.
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) March 16, 2022
The organization has no plans to meet with Watson at this point. And as I said earlier, they are not pursuing him. But … if he were to create a scenario in which he could fall into their laps — things would get interesting.
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) March 16, 2022
The 49ers have invested a lot in Lance already, but he’s an extremely raw talent. Watson is just 26 and already an established NFL star. As Trotter said, the Niners would have to at least listen if Watson was determined to play in San Francisco.
To this point, there is no reason to think that is the case. Watson is definitely interested in other teams, as evidenced by him personally reaching out to one of them. There are simply too many variables to imagine a realistic scenario in which he winds up in San Francisco.
Photo: Jan 27, 2019; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) in the NFL Pro Bowl football game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
