NY Jets are ‘the only viable’ landing spot for Deshaun Watson

The NY Jets continue to be involved in trade rumors surrounding Houston Texans’ superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson. But at this stage, it seems as though the Jets have moved past the “involvement” stage.

They are the center of these trade rumors. And according to one reputable source, they may be the only realistic landing spot for the disgruntled QB.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle joined Joe Caporoso and Connor Rogers on the “Badlands” podcast earlier in the week to discuss Waston’s status and if the Jets are serious contenders in the trade market.

And according to McClain, perhaps the most reputable Texans reporter out there, the Jets are very much in the thick of things. In fact, he took it a step further.

The NY Jets are “the only viable” landing spot for Deshaun Watson

McClain emphasized that there isn’t really a feasible scenario where Watson is a member of the Texans at the start of the 2021 season. And he insisted that the Jets are the only team that makes sense in a possible trade.

“I feel comfortable in saying, it’s not going to be the Bears, or the Panthers or the Broncos, or the 49ers or Washington. It’s got to be one of the other two teams and to me, the only viable one is the Jets.”

McClain stated that Texans’ general manager Nick Caserio has been returning calls to teams and that it might only be a matter of time before Houston realizes they need to make a trade.

Caporoso then asked McClain if the Jets would be one of the teams that Watson accepts a trade to. After all, the 25-year-old would need to waive his no-trade clause for any transaction to happen.

By all accounts, McClain says that shouldn’t be an issue.

“From all indications, the Jets are one of the teams on his list. I think the way they would sell it is Saleh. Robert would be very persuasive.”

McClain also touched on New York being the media capital of the world and that the potential for endorsements would be very appealing. Essentially, Watson would likely have no issue with the Jets.

Sooner or later, the Texans are going to realize that their only option is to trade Deshaun Watson. If they drag this out into the regular season, no side emerges as a winner.

Watson would be forced to report by Week 10 to prevent his contract from tolling. And by that point, the Texans would have just wasted another season and would find themselves in the same position a year later.

Only this time they’d have less leverage, Watson’s contract wouldn’t be as affordable, and his value would have diminished. If they’re wise, they strike while the iron is hot and deal him this offseason.

The Jets, with the prized No. 2 overall pick in the draft, can offer a package that no other team could top. Is that a move general manager Joe Douglas would make? That remains to be seen.

But at least according to McClain, the Jets appear to be at the forefront of any trade discussions that could take place in the near future.