Report: NFL insider names team expected to land Deshaun Watson
Seahawks faithful were distraught with the trading of Russell Wilson, but one possible replacement isn’t too shabby. According to NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, Seattle is expected to land Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson with their new-found draft capitol.
“There is ‘expectation around the league’ #Texans QB Deshaun Watson will be traded to the #Seahawks, per @MoveTheSticks,” tweeted Kleiman. “They have extra picks now after the Russell Wilson trade to get it done.”
Moreover, Seattle went from a hamstrung team when it came it the NFL Draft to one rich with assets. Additionally, the Seahawks have a ton of cap space after clearing Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner off their books. Now, a trade for Watson looks realistic.
With 70-year old Pete Carroll leading the franchise, a rebuild would’ve been a tough sell. However, a reload with Watson leading the charge could catapult the Seahawks to the top tier of the NFC once again.
The franchise will have to compete with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers for Watson, but they now how the motivation and the means to do so.
Grand jury reaches decision in Deshaun Watson criminal case
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges in several lawsuits against him, a grand jury concluded Friday. Watson completed the first two sessions of depositions as part of 22 lawsuits filed against him, ESPN confirmed.
“After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson,” a statement from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office read. “Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed.”
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, originally revealed on July 10 that 10 women had filed complaints to Houston police about his client. Of those 10 women, eight have filed lawsuits against Watson ranging from sexual assault to harassment during massage sessions. There were 22 lawsuits in total filed against the quarterback.
Watson’s deposition was originally scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 22.
A judge ruled last month that Watson could be deposed in nine of those civil cases after Hardin argued that delaying them would allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face criminal charges. The quarterback did not play a game this past season as the possibility of being charged weighed on him the entire year.
Now that the case has come to a decision, expect teams to inquire about trading for the former Clemson quarterback.