The game is the thing, but the Deshaun Watson drama was a big part of the narrative during the buildup to Super Bowl LV -- so much speculation and, yes, misguided commentary. (See: Brett Favre.) Of all the pundits, Michael Irvin said it best with regard to the Jets' potential interest in the Houston Texans' star quarterback.
In a videoconference with NFL Network analysts, I asked Irvin if he believes Jets quarterback Sam Darnold can be fixed and whether New York should go all-in on Watson.
"You can still believe in Sam Darnold and that Sam Darnold can get it done, and the right coaching staff can bring the best out of him, but if you can get a Deshaun Watson, you go all-in on a Deshaun Watson because he's a different kind of guy," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said.
"He's a different kind of playmaker, and if you can have that kind of playmaker in New York -- oh, my God. Oh, my God. It could be crazy if you could get that kid, that talent in New York."
That describes how I believe the Jets are approaching the situation, sans the OMGs: They would be content to run it back with Darnold in 2021 but feel compelled to explore Watson because it's a rare opportunity to get a franchise quarterback in his prime. If Jets general manager Joe Douglas truly espouses the best-player-available philosophy, how can he not chase Watson?
But will Douglas go "all-in," as Irvin suggested?
It will take a massive package to land Watson, if the Texans decide to trade him. Right now, Houston is refusing to engage teams in trade discussions. Experts say it could be at least three first-round picks, plus defensive players. The Jets could have an advantage because their first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 23) have a higher value than those of the Miami Dolphins (No. 3 and No. 18), based on the commonly used value chart. The Jets also have two first-rounders in 2022, plus coveted defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, whose contract can be traded (albeit with a $10.8 million cap hit).
Douglas doesn't seem like a "sell the future" kind of guy. People who know him like to point out he won Super Bowl rings with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles with Trent Dilfer, Joe Flacco and Nick Foles at quarterback. File that under: "For what it's worth."
www.espn.com
In a videoconference with NFL Network analysts, I asked Irvin if he believes Jets quarterback Sam Darnold can be fixed and whether New York should go all-in on Watson.
"You can still believe in Sam Darnold and that Sam Darnold can get it done, and the right coaching staff can bring the best out of him, but if you can get a Deshaun Watson, you go all-in on a Deshaun Watson because he's a different kind of guy," the Pro Football Hall of Famer said.
"He's a different kind of playmaker, and if you can have that kind of playmaker in New York -- oh, my God. Oh, my God. It could be crazy if you could get that kid, that talent in New York."
That describes how I believe the Jets are approaching the situation, sans the OMGs: They would be content to run it back with Darnold in 2021 but feel compelled to explore Watson because it's a rare opportunity to get a franchise quarterback in his prime. If Jets general manager Joe Douglas truly espouses the best-player-available philosophy, how can he not chase Watson?
But will Douglas go "all-in," as Irvin suggested?
It will take a massive package to land Watson, if the Texans decide to trade him. Right now, Houston is refusing to engage teams in trade discussions. Experts say it could be at least three first-round picks, plus defensive players. The Jets could have an advantage because their first-round picks (No. 2 and No. 23) have a higher value than those of the Miami Dolphins (No. 3 and No. 18), based on the commonly used value chart. The Jets also have two first-rounders in 2022, plus coveted defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, whose contract can be traded (albeit with a $10.8 million cap hit).
Douglas doesn't seem like a "sell the future" kind of guy. People who know him like to point out he won Super Bowl rings with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles with Trent Dilfer, Joe Flacco and Nick Foles at quarterback. File that under: "For what it's worth."
Texans' Deshaun Watson with New York Jets? 'Oh, my God. Oh, my God.'
Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin says Houston's quarterback is a "different kind of playmaker," and the Jets would flourish with "that talent."
