Texans’ Watson requests trade, and LA Rams makes some sense

The LA Rams would certainly not pass up an opportunity to discuss the opportunity to trade with the Houston Texans for the services of quarterback Deshaun Watson. For all of the talk about Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford, the most intriguing quarterback on the trade block, and the one who would shine brightest with horns on his helmet, would be Watson.

This is a dream scenario for many. A young promising quarterback who would kickstart the LA Rams ability to score once more. A combination of Goff’s experience and coolness with that of Wolford’s mobility and fearlessness.  But most of all, the big splash move that the LA Rams need and that GM Les Snead excels at. The countdown is over. The ship is blasting off.

And we have ignition:

We’ve been here before. The marquis player who suddenly demands to be traded. The speculation of a half-dozen or so of NFL teams with the draft capital who could swing a deal. Slowly but surely, each of those teams cool to the idea of giving up so much for just one player. And then, just as the NFL turns its collective attention elsewhere, the Rams swoop in with a blockbuster trade package and claim the best active player at that position.

The LA Rams do not shy away form trading away first-round picks. In fact, they will seen be stepping up to the NFL Draft podium in 2022 on day one unless something happens. Right now, it looks like something may be happening.

Make no mistake. The Rams and Texans have discussed the possibility of trading with the goal of moving QB Watson from the Texans’ roster to the Rams’ roster. And part of that discussion likely included the possibility of QB Jared Goff going in the opposite direction.

Goff to the Texans makes some sense too. In an exchange of Goff for Watson, the Rams get Watson, but the Texans would get a playoff ready QB with upside who can keep the position warm until a drafted quarterback is ready. Or he may get red hot in Houston and be a bargain basement starter much like the Tennessee Titans discover with QB Ryan Tannehill.

What about those stories about Deshaun Watson’s preference to go to the New York Jets or Miami Dolphins? There is a debate over the validity of such a claim.

If the Texans do not see that much value in Goff, then the conversation ends politely and they won’t revisit the scenario again. But the Texans hired former Ravens assistant coach David Culley, who has an extensive background in coaching quarterbacks at the NFL level.  As such, I don’t aniticipate violently loud protests from him if the Texans were offered Jared Goff and a trio of first-round draft picks for Watson. In fact, as a new head coach, he might jump at the offer.

Just because Watson has demanded a trade does not mean that the Texans will do so quickly. And the longer it takes, the more likely the Texans are weighing any Rams offer favorably. The Rams cannot deliver a top pick from the 2021 NFL Draft to the Texans in any deal. But they can ship an NFL ready starter to them, but enough draft picks to build around Goff to succeed for years to come. Just like Deshaun Watson, those type of offers do not grow on trees either.