Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watson, wants to be traded. Here are the three best hypothetical trade packages the Steelers can afford to offer.
It’s no secret that Texans star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, would like a fresh start and Houston may just offer him that this offseason. After some questionable business decisions over the past few years – including trading away star receiver, DeAndre Hopkins – Watson has had enough. The Steelers just so happen to have a 39-year-old quarterback nearing the end of his NFL career.
While a trade scenario that would send Watson to Pittsburgh is highly unlikely due to Ben Roethlisberger’s pending return for a final season and the shaky cap situation, it still is interesting to delve into what it would cost for the Steelers to land one of the best young quarterbacks in the league via trade.
Assuming Roethlisberger decided to call it quits this year and the Steelers were able to get back under the cap with a few roster moves, here are three hypothetical trades Pittsburgh could offer Houston for quarterback, Deshaun Watson:
Trade scenario 1:
Steelers get: QB Deshaun Watson
Texans get: DL Stephon Tuitt, 2021 1st, 2021 2nd, 2022 1st, 2023 1st
I can’t take credit for this trade scenario, as this is one that staff writers of theScore recently came up with. However, it’s an enticing offer that makes a lot of sense for both parties involved. The Texans would be getting an outrageous amount of draft capital that would include a total of three first-round picks and a second-round pick to help them rebuild an organization that will be without its best player. In addition, Stephon Tuitt is on a very reasonable contract that runs all the way through the end of the 2022 season.
For the Steelers, they would be making an effortless transition from one Hall of Fame quarterback to potentially another, and Watson would no doubt be a significant upgrade over Big Ben at this point in his career.
Trade scenario 2:
Steelers get: QB Deshaun Watson, 2022 3rd
Texans get: EDGE T.J. Watt, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2021 1st
This would be the biggest blockbuster trade of the decade. Depending on what the Texans are looking to do, this could be even more enticing than trade scenario number one. T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick are two young cornerstone building blocks and former Defensive Player of the Year candidates. They could make an immediate impact in Houston.
The Texans would, however, need to find a way to clear up cap space to sign T.J. Watt to a massive extension – which hurts his trade value a bit. However, this would no doubt please big brother J.J. in the process. There are several easy cuts the Texans can make to get back under the cap, and dumping Watson’s cap number will certainly help.
As Steelers fans, we would hate to see them trade away their two best players, but nothing is more important than finding a quarterback. Watson is already an established 3-time Pro Bowl passer and he is still just 25 years old. He could lead this team to a few Super Bowl appearances over the next decade.
Trade scenario 3:
Steelers get: QB Deshaun Watson, DL J.J. Watt
Texans get: DL Stephon Tuitt, QB Mason Rudolph, 2021 1st, 2021 2nd, 2022 1st, 2022 2nd, 2023 1st
This seems like a lot of moving pieces, but this is a deal that could really play to what each team is trying to do. If the Steelers acquired Deshaun Watson, they want to win now, and adding J.J. Watt to the fold will help keep their defense elite. He would take Tuitt’s spot on the field and line up next to his brother. J.J. is 32 years old and has just one year remaining on his contract at $17.5 million, according to Over the Cap.
The Texans could Watt with a much younger defensive lineman on a good contract. Pittsburgh would also throw in Mason Rudolph just to say ‘thank you,’ and Houston could use him as a bridge quarterback next season if they please. However, the biggest thing here is the draft capital. With five additional high draft choices (including three first-rounders) the Texans would be able to put together a package to land a quarterback of their choosing in the NFL Draft.
Again, a trade of this magnitude is extremely unlikely to happen, and both teams must work around a tight cap situation this offseason. Still, it’s interesting to think about what it might cost for the Steelers to go out and get one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Even at such a steep price, any of these three deals would likely prove to be worth it for Pittsburgh.