If the Texans decide to trade Deshaun Watson, the best deal they’re going to get is likely to come from the Bears, according to an ESPN insider.
The Texans may not want to let Deshaun Watson go, but there’s an argument for getting the best deal they can while it’s on the table.
Jeff Darlington of ESPN made just that point on NFL Live this week.
“The best strategy for team building is to take advantage of other people’s vulnerabilities. There is no more vulnerable team in the NFL looking for a quarterback than the Chicago Bears,” Darlington said. “Houston better be careful here. They’ve got their guy. They’ve got their victim when it comes to finally salvaging this Deshaun Watson situation. If the Bears decide to go in a different direction, Houston is going to be saying at the end of the day, ‘Why did we not do that?’ because it’s going to be tough to find a team that’s willing to give up as much as the Bears right now.”
The Texans best bet for trading Deshaun Watson is a desperate Bears team
Darlington’s point is well taken. The Rams traded for Matthew Stafford. The Colts got Carson Wentz. The Jaguars, Jets, Dolphins, and Falcons could spend a Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft addressing their uncertain quarterback situations.
The Bears, on the other hand, will have to trade if they want to make a change. They can continue with Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles, but neither of those QBs inspires much confidence. If Chicago wants to make a splash, Watson is their ideal target.
He’s not their only option, though. Russell Wilson is making noise on the trade block, which is exactly what Darlington cautions. If Chicago makes a blockbuster trade for the Seahawks star, then there isn’t really anyone left who needs Watson so bad as to give up a freight train of assets.
Alternatively, if Houston’s asking price is so high even the Bears aren’t willing to pay, then the Texans will be left with an unhappy quarterback and nothing to show for it.
You could read into Darlington’s statements that the Bears have a big offer on the table. It’s certainly believable. The fact here is it’s in Houston’s best interest to make sure Chicago is still a willing trade partner.