With the trade market for quarterbacks in full swing, rumors are heating up regarding Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. One team that has been linked to Watson a few times, however, is reportedly not actually moving for him.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not interested in Watson, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This runs contrary to some other rumors that emerged Wednesday, some of which even painted Pittsburgh as a frontrunner in Watson trade talks.
Steelers ARE NOT interested in signing DeShaun Watson, despite what you might be hearing or reading, per team sources.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 9, 2022
This is a rather firm refutation of any Watson rumors from a well-connected Steelers reporter. It does fit with some previous reports, however, suggesting that two NFC teams were in stronger pursuit of Watson.
The Steelers do have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins under contract, and have suggested that those two will compete for the starting job after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. That has not changed the fact that they’ve been linked to several veteran quarterbacks. The players they’ve been associated with are more journeyman types who could compete for a starting job, not a franchise quarterback like Watson. If the Steelers make an addition, it seems more likely that it won’t be a huge name.
Photo: Aug 17, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before a game against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
