Report: Brian Flores, Deshaun Watson discussing joint destination
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has been in contact with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson about joining up for the 2022 NFL season. Flores was recently released from the Dolphins after three seasons as coach, and during his final season Flores aggressively pursued potential trade options to bring Watson to the Dolphins.
Brian Flores and Deshaun Watson teaming up
“Developing story: Deshaun Watson and Brian Flores have been in constant communication trying to navigate a scenario where they go to the same team,” stated veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. “Watson ‘trusts and likes’ Flores and has been adamant internally that he’d like to play for him next season.”
The news that Flores was out as Miami’s coach came as a shock after the end of the NFL regular season. Flores’ record over three seasons was 24-25 with back-to-back winning seasons. Flores oversaw two of Miami’s three winning seasons over the last decade, but failed to reach the playoffs during his tenure.
Watson’s future in the NFL became questionable after multiple sexual assault allegations were levied against him before the 2021 NFL season began. Houston made the decision to not play Watson during the entire season, making him a potential trade option across the league.
The most prominent attempt to secure a trade for Watson was from Miami and Flores. Reports indicated that Flores was extremely interested in building a winning team around the Houston star quarterback, despite having a young prospect already in Tua Tagovailoa.
With Flores no longer in Miami, the conversation to unite the two has not ended. The former coach will likely field job offers from multiple teams, and the hiring decision may likely hinge on the option to bring Watson into the fold wherever he ends up.
One potential job opening that Jordan Schultz points to is the struggling New York Giants.
“Don’t sleep on the prospect of Brian Flores to the Giants,” stated Schultz. “I’m told owner John Mara ‘respects and likes Flores’ — a Brooklyn native — and that Flores would prioritize the G-Men job ‘at or near the top of his list,’ per a source close to the situation.”
Prior to the allegations that have sidelined Watson, his 2020 NFL season was an incredible one statistically. Despite a 4-12 record for the year, Watson threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Averaging over a 70 percent completion rate, Watson finished the year with an impressive 112.4 passer rating.