NY Jets: Deshaun Watson wanted the Texans to interview Robert Saleh

NY Jets‘ head coach Robert Saleh promises to bring with him a new era of Jets football. For the first time in perhaps close to a decade, the team looks to have a true identity entering the new season.

Saleh was one of the hottest candidates on the coaching market this offseason for a reason, and it’s been well-documented how respected he is around the league. Not only by players who have played for him, but by those who haven’t.

After all, word gets around.

One such player appears to be Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson whose growing tension with his organization has been one of the top storylines of the new year thus far.

Watson reportedly identified two candidates who he wanted the Texans to interview for the team’s head coach vacancy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and now-former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Deshaun Watson is clearly fond of NY Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh

While the Texans eventually came around to interviewing Bieniemy — only after first passing — they never did so with Saleh. Obviously, Watson, who was told that he would be a key part of the coaching search, was none too pleased.

That combined with a host of other things has led to Watson feeling alienated by the Texans organization. And some reports seem to indicate that there may not be a solution.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Saturday that Watson “just wants out” and that he has “has migrated past the point of no return” with the organization.

Given his apparent respect for Saleh, this has obviously led to rumors that the Jets could be interested. Are those rumors substantial in any way? Probably not. But it’s fun to theorize.

The Jets would understandably have to give up an incredible amount of draft capital to get a deal done for Watson. Realistically speaking, you could make the argument that the only more valuable player in the entire NFL is Patrick Mahomes.

Deshaun Watson is going to command a trade package unlike any other we’ve seen in NFL history. At least, if the Texans play their cards right.

Houston still wants to work things out and Watson likely isn’t going to be traded anytime soon, but it’s a situation worth monitoring. And perhaps, just maybe, Saleh could be used as a recruiting tool for the superstar quarterback.

With all the conversation surrounding the Jets’ quarterback position, it would be quite the development if the Jets were confirmed to be in on Watson.

Of course, this is an unlikely scenario. But as tensions continue to flare in Houston, Watson’s status is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

The Saleh connection only serves to add fuel to the speculative fire.