Dolphins Source Says Team Will Be In Watson Sweepstakes, If He Becomes Available
Deshaun Watson has been in the news a lot lately. That's what happens when you're a 25-year-old, super star quarterback potentially on the move in the prime of your career. Some of the latest news surrounding the Houston Texan comes out of Miami.
On Friday, Barry Jackson with the Miami Herald revealed that he has spoken to a Dolphins source with direct knowledge of the situation. The verdict? Well, the team will be a suitor in the Watson sweepstakes, should he become available.
Here is what that source with direct knowledge has told Jackson:
This situation is unlike anything we have ever seen.
Peyton Manning was a free agent when he left Indianapolis. Teams knew he was available, so it was only a matter of trying to convince the Hall of Famer to join. With Watson, there's no point in publicly stating interest -- because he's not currently available.
If Miami did that, it could have severe consequences with Tua Tagovailoa's morale and confidence. Right now, it has to be a behind-the-scenes, subtle inquiry into him. And even then, you risk that information leaking and being told no.
It would be fascinating to watch how various teams are managing this situation behind closed doors. There are only a handful of franchises that shouldn't at least be entertaining the idea of a Watson trade.
Look, I'm still a believer in Tagovailoa. If the Dolphins choose to build around him with their available cap space and draft capital, I'm all for it. His offensive line was poor, his complementary run game was non-existent, the pass-catching talent was subpar and the play-calling was atrocious.
There are plenty of reasons to believe in a bounce back.
With that said, you don't hope a guy turns into a top-5 quarterback in the league when you have the opportunity to go get an established top-5 quarterback in the league. Period. So if that's what Miami chooses to do, that would be understandable as well.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.