Reports continue to swirl around Houston as Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson remains malcontent regarding the team’s future. While the franchise continues to seek a new head coach, a larger question remains. Will the team have a new name under center when the 2021 season starts?
As the speculation grows, BetMGM is offering a market for those who want to bet on which team Watson will be suiting up for come September. To sign up for BetMGM now and place a wager on Watson’s next team, go here.
Deshaun Watson ‘Next Team’ odds
Here is a look at Deshaun Watson ‘Next Team’ odds with the NFL offseason in full swing for 28 teams.
Texans | Bet now +100 |
Jets | Bet now +400 |
Dolphins | Bet now +500 |
Patriots | Bet now +700 |
Bears | Bet now +900 |
Broncos | Bet now +1100 |
Washington | Bet now +1100 |
49ers | Bet now +1200 |
Eagles | Bet now +2000 |
Panthers | Bet now +2000 |
Colts | Bet now +2000 |
Jaguars | Bet now +2500 |
Steelers | Bet now +3000 |
Lions | Bet now +3000 |
Falcons | Bet now +3500 |
Raiders | Bet now +4000 |
Rams | Bet now +4000 |
Saints | Bet now +4000 |
Cowboys | Bet now +5000 |
Giants | Bet now +5000 |
Vikings | Bet now +5000 |
“The market is wide open on where Deshaun may play next,” said Darren Darby of BetMGM. “The Jets and Dolphins are among the most likely teams to trade for Watson. That being said, the Texans remain the betting favorites to keep their star quarterback.”
Watson is +100 to stay in Houston on BetMGM’s board as his contract situation – namely his no-trade clause – makes it tricky to leave Texas.
Lots of teams are obviously interested in upgrading their QB room by trading for Watson. The Jets have a bevy of draft capital at their disposal to offer Houston. They also have significant cap flexibility for 2021 and going forward. Could the team abandon hope on Sam Darnold and trade for a known commodity?
We’ve heard the saying “If you have two quarterbacks [or goalies, or another key position], you have no QBs.” That’s the situation Miami was in this past season. First-round pick Tua Tagovailoa struggled and often was replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Despite the ability to solidify a signal-caller, the Dolphins won 10 games and just missed the playoffs.
Miami would be able to trade back to Houston the third overall pick in the draft. They also have cap space to play with.
ALSO READ: Super Bowl odds for next season – 2022 futures for all 32 NFL teams
Plenty of teams interested
Are there any dark-horses in this race? The 49ers are +1200 at BetMGM. The Niners could swing a blockbuster QB trade, sending Jimmy Garoppolo to Houston. Watson’s athleticism in a Kyle Shanahan offense, surrounded by those talented skill players, could make the Niners look like the dynasty teams of the 80s. Plus, the Texans may be interested in Garoppolo given new GM Nick Caserio’s ties to New England – the team that originally drafted Jimmy G.
BetMGM had the Bears at the fifth-lowest price on their board at +900. Like Miami, Chicago had two QBs that played significant minutes this past season, but has no clear starter moving forward. To trade for the QB the franchise passed up for incumbent Mitchell Trubisky would be a glaring admission by the front office (albeit likely welcome by the fan base) that they chose poorly in 2017. The Bears would have to do some major work with the cap, as they currently sit $10 million over the projected number for 2021.
There are some teams, like Washington and the Patriots, that possess both the long-term cap space and the need for a starting QB. Whether any of these teams can offer the trade pieces to convince the Texans brass to move the franchise QB is another question.