Should Steelers Trade T.J. Watt in Deal for Deshaun Watson?

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has had sufficient, and has lastly requested a commerce from the group, in response to a number of stories Thursday.

Watson’s rising discontent has been widespread information for a while, and now that he formally needs out, ESPN’s Invoice Barnwell has assembled various hypothetical commerce proposals, together with one that will land the star quarterback in Pittsburgh.

Barnwell’s blockbuster proposal would ship Watson and a 2023 fifth-round decide to the Steelers in change for the Twenty fourth-overall decide in April’s draft, a 2022 first-round decide, a 2023 third-round decide, fullback Derek Watt and outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt.

The Steelers might match Watson beneath the wage cap, however that will contain parting methods with Ben Roethlisberger. Such a transfer would liberate $19 million in cap area, in response to Barnwell.

This proposed commerce would additionally reunite all three Watt brothers in Houston, a state of affairs Steelers followers have fawned about since Pittsburgh signed Derek final offseason.

Arguably one of the best defensive participant within the NFL, T.J. is contemporary off his second straight First-Workforce All-Professional season. He led the league with 15 sacks and 23 tackles-for-loss.

That type of manufacturing doesn’t come low-cost, and the Steelers should pay a premium on Watt’s impeding extension, which is predicted to be one of many richest for a defensive participant in league historical past.

If Pittsburgh needs purchase Watson, they’d doubtless should make the powerful resolution to ship Watt within the deal to fulfill the Texans’ demand and their very own monetary future.

Nonetheless, Steelers followers ought to hold perspective, as a commerce for Watson is probably going a pipe dream. Of the 17 hypothetical commerce packages proposed by Barnwell ranked from least to most definitely, Pittsburgh’s clocks in at pessimistic fifteenth.

As well as, the 25-year-old has a no-trade clause, so he could have remaining approval on any deal the Texans attain. The Steelers could have the weapons offensively, however they should make severe strides alongside the offensive line as regards to efficiency and youth. Watson has performed behind struggling offensive line previously in Houston, and greater than doubtless doesn’t need to take care of that once more.

Regardless that the Texans limped to a 4-12 document, Watson had one of the best season of his profession in 2020. The three-time Professional Bowler accomplished 70.2% of his passes for 4,823 yards with 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, all career-bests. He additionally rushed for 444 yards and three scores.