Just when you thought the world couldn’t get any weirder, superstars now apparently want to come play for the New York Jets.
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported over the weekend that Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has made it known that the Jets “are his top preference” among teams he’d like to be traded to.
This comes after Watson was seen in Philadelphia buying a new car that his agent, David Mulugheta, said he wants to be painted in “Jet green.”
Just days later, veteran Pro Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman told “The Cris Collinsworth Podcast,” that the 25-year-old passer should go to the Jets “on the first thing smoking.”
“It would be the most beautiful [thing],” he added. “Decent offensive line. They’d have to find threats. They’d have to find some offensive weapons. But I think there would be a lot more people excited to be there.”
The Jets are yet again rebuilding after a disastrous 2-14 2020 campaign behind former head coach Adam Gase, who was prompty fired after the season and replaced with well-respected San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh.
Watson holds Saleh in high regards and wanted his Texans to interview the 41-year-old, but those requests fell upon deaf ears.
It further alienates the star quarterback with his current club after a tumultuous season that saw the trading away of DeAndre Hopkins, the firing of head coach and GM Bill O’Brien, and the hiring of new GM Nick Caserio — a move the Texans did not consult with Watson about.
If the Texans try to move Watson, the Jets certainly have the assets to get something done. They have two first-round picks in each of the next two NFL Drafts and could also dangle young quarterback, Sam Darnold, in talks.
Darnold’s time with the Jets could be up after he regressed mightily in his third NFL season — his second under Gase. Even before Watson’s potential trade drama began, it was believed the Jets could move on from Darnold with the No. 2 pick of the 2021 draft where they could choose between Ohio State passer Justin Fields and BYU’s Zach Wilson.
Saleh, though, praised Darnold at his introductory press conference on Thursday. Whether that was him truly considering the 23-year-old as a QB option or him just trying to build his trade value remains to be seen.
“What I can tell you about Sam is he’s got unbelievable arm talent,” Saleh said. “There’s a reason why he was the No. 3 pick in the draft. He’s fearless in the pocket, he’s got a natural throwing motion, he’s mobile, he’s extremely intelligent, and he’s tough as nails. His reputation in the locker room is unquestioned.”
Granted, if a talent like Watson is truly on the table for the Jets, there is no expense too great to get him.
