We all want someone you can actually claim is a franchise quarterback. While I’m not as down on Mitch Trubisky as a lot of Chicago, he isn’t a franchise QB and you don’t win in the NFL without one. So, when the news that Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson could be playing hardball and request a trade, a lot of Bears fans thought this was a no-brainer.
Well, add some current Bears players to the list that would like Watson. On his Twitter account, it sure does seem like Cordarrelle Patterson is calling for Watson to come to the Bears.
@deshaunwatson make some moves this off season fam!!! #DABEARS
— cordarrelle patterson (@ceeflashpee84) January 14, 2021
Now, it does seem like the Texans will play hardball right back. They don’t have to trade the QB, and maybe they can smooth things over with a heart-to-heart. But it is hard to regain trust when you’ve felt lied to and feel there are some fundamental differences between your morals and that of the organization.
The issues started last year when the Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals, then the rift grew due to the team’s response to social and racial injustice. The final straw was when Watson was given the impression that he would be conferred with when deciding who the next GM of the team would be.
Now, Houston has made a giant financial commitment to Watson, signing him to a four-year, $156 million deal. This contract will pay him only $10 million in 2021, but balloons to $35 million in 2022. While the Texans *can* simply hold that commitment over his head, Watson does have a play of his own to potentially forcing an out.
In 2023, Watson has a player option and can forgo the remaining season to enter free agency and sign wherever – and the Texans would be left empty-handed.
Now, to land Watson, this would take quite a draft pick haul. Say what you will about Ryan Pace, but he has not been afraid to trade picks for high profile, elite-level players (Khalil Mack). Also, as a Bears fan, you probably don’t want Pace using those picks on players since his track record in the first round has been horrific. His list has Kevin White, Leonard Floyd (who had a good season away from Chicago), and Trubisky. We should be much more comfortable with him trading those picks than using them.
