Deshaun Watson’s Agent Refutes Trade Reports As His Client’s Legal Situation Escalates

• It was reported this week that Deshaun Watson has two teams high on his list of preferred trade destinations.
• Watson’s agent says there is “no truth” to the reports as his client is still dealing with many legal issues.
• Read more news about the NFL here.

26-year-old Deshaun Watson hasn’t taken a snap in the NFL since Sunday Jan 3, 2021. Prior to that, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, making it to three Pro Bowls in his four seasons in the league.

Despite being ruled out of all 17 of this season’s Houston Texans games for “not injury-related” reasons, there are still many teams that would be interested in Deshaun Watson’s services.

Teams that have been mentioned as possible destinations for Watson have included the Steelers, Giants, Dolphins, Panthers, Eagles, Broncos, Vikings and Buccaneers.

The last two teams on that list, Minnesota and Tampa Bay, were reported this week to be the highest on Watson’s list of preferred trade destinations, according to ESPN.

On Thursday, NFL reporter Josina Anderson spoke with Deshaun Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, about the rumors.

His response?

“We haven’t had any talks among ourselves or with teams about possible destinations as we are focused on clearing Deshaun’s name at this time,” said Mulugheta.

Of course, it would behoove the Houston Texans for there to be a bidding war between at least two NFL teams when it comes to trading Watson. Especially given the enormous price Houston continues to ask potential suitors to pay.

Related: Houston Texans Won’t Back Down From Unreasonable Deshaun Watson Asking Price

Any teams that might be interested, however, will have to deal with whatever punishment the NFL eventually hands down on the quarterback.

He is currently the defendant in 22 civil complaints alleging sexual misconduct as well as 10 criminal complaints.

Deshaun Watson’s legal situation just got a lot more complicated

Regarding those complaints, ProFootballTalk.com just reported that things are about to get stickier.

It’s unlikely that anyone will be making a move until greater clarity has been secured regarding his legal situation.

First, the lingering criminal probe. A grand jury at some point will complete its work regarding the pending complaints against Watson. If he’s indicted on one or more felony charges, a trade becomes much harder to accomplish. If he’s indicted on misdemeanor charges or not at all, it becomes easier for him to proceed.

Second, the pending lawsuits. Now that the Super Bowl has come and gone, Watson can be questioned under oath during a deposition. Depending on how he holds up under questioning (or doesn’t), it could become easier (or harder) to settle his cases. If a new team insists on all civil cases being resolved (as the Dolphins did last season), nothing will happen until he manages to get 22 deals done. And that quite possibly will drive up the price for resolving the 22 claims.

As new Texans head coach Lovie Smith recently said when asked about the Texans trading Deshaun Watson, “we’re going to try to get it resolved as soon as we possibly can.”

Because if they don’t, having Watson sit out all 17 games next year will cost them about $25 million more than it did this season.