The end of an era came for the Seattle Seahawks when they traded Russell Wilson this week, but they may already have a replacement in mind.
Several teams are expected to make an attempt to acquire Deshaun Watson once there is more clarity with the Houston Texans star’s legal situation. Watson has a full no-trade clause, so he will have a say in where he ends up. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network said on his “Move The Sticks” podcast this week that there is a belief around the league that Watson will wind up in Seattle.
Jeremiah said he has no personal knowledge of the situation but has spoken with people around the NFL about where Watson might land. The overwhelming consensus is that the 26-year-old will eventually be a Seahawk.
“In talking to friends around the league, the expectation from every single one of them is that when it’s all said and done Deshaun Watson is gonna be the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. … I haven’t talked to anybody who thinks Pete Carroll is gonna take this thing down to the studs with (GM) John Schneider and this is gonna be a three- or four-year rebuild,” Jeremiah said. “Again, (I don’t have) any personal knowledge of that situation, but everybody in the league that I’ve talked to expects this to be the outcome.”
Watson is under criminal investigation after nearly two dozen women accused him of sexual assault. A decision from a grand jury is expected as early as Friday. Once that comes, the NFL will conduct its own investigation and likely hand down discipline.
We know of one other NFC team that is said to be determined to land Watson. But, again, Watson can block a trade to any team. If he wants to replace Russell Wilson, the Texans may have no choice but to make a deal with Seattle.
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
