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And just when you thought the Deshaun Watson to the Jets trade rumors were cooling off, John McClain stokes the fire.
McClain has covered the NFL and the sports world at the Houston Chronicle for over 45 years, so when offers up insight on a possible trade, most fans pay attention. He recently joined SportsRadion 610 in Houston and explained that the Texans are standing firm behind their stance that they are not going to trade Watson despite him reportedly asking for a trade.
However!
McClain said that if there was a team that could change Houston’s mind, it would be the Jets.
“Anybody who says [the Texans] called the Eagles, not true,” McClain said. “If they traded him, it would be the Jets. No, they have not contacted anyone about trading Watson.”
He also added that Watson wouldn’t be dealt to the Eagles in some sort of swap deal for Carson Wentz.
“They don’t call teams. Teams call them,” McClain said. “They told everybody they are not trading Watson. Doesn’t mean they won’t do it eventually, but I guarantee you if they did it, [it] would not be for Carson Wentz and the Eagles.”
Given the fact that the Jets own both the No. 2 and No. 23 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft at the moment, New York could center a package around those two picks, and future picks, to at least have a discussion about acquiring Watson. The Jets own six of the first 98 picks in the draft.
It’s worth noting that Watson has a no-trade clause on his current contract, so if Houston does ultimately decide to ship him away he’ll have some sort of say in where his new home may be.