Chris Simms Believes Deshaun Watson Is Willing To Sit Out Year
And now for a timely Deshaun Watson update. Chris Simms said on Peacock that he believes Deshaun Watson has played his last down with the Texans and that Watson is willing to sit out the season if the team won't trade him:
"I've been led to believe that there's no way that Deshaun Watson will play for the Houston Texans again," Simms begins. "I have been told by somebody that I trust that says 'Deshaun Watson will not play for the Houston Texans ever again, and he's willing to sit out football for the year if he has to.' That's where I've been led to understand this situation and where it's at right now, and like I said, it's someone that I trust very much."
Simms isn't Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter, but former players often have information that reporters don't.
The timing is key. If Watson is willing to sit out, it's crucial that he makes that clear before the draft. After the draft is over, the Texans have no deadline to move Watson. It's more appealing to take on the Jets' second overall pick or the Dolphins' third pick this year than their first-rounders next year because no one yet knows where in the round such picks will fall. For this reason, Watson must put pressure on the team soon.
Sure, Watson could still sit out if the Texans refuse to trade him, but he will lose money if he does.
Being "willing" to sit out and actually sitting out are not the same. However, from everything that has been said about Watson so far, he's likely beyond the stage of just considering it.