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There remains no indication whatsoever that the Houston Texans are interested in trading disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson, but that hasn't stopped folks from speculating over where Watson might wind up in the future.
One piece of information to come out on Tuesday suggests the 49ers would be on Watson's shortlist of preferred destinations if the Texans ever decided it was time to part ways.
The information in question comes from The Athletic writer and former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi, who discussed Watson's situation during a guest appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. Eisen asked Lombardi if it would be better for the Texans to ship Watson to the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in return for a package that would include a young quarterback and multiple high-value draft picks, to which Lombardi responded to by saying the following:
"Well, the problem, Rich, is he controls where he wants to go. The rumor is he doesn't want to play in New York. The rumor is he doesn't want to play in Miami. He wants to play in Denver [or] San Francisco. So now, you're [Texans general manager] Nick Caserio, and now your trade options are limited, especially when you know he controls where he says he wants to go. So, say he says I only want to go to San Francisco. I'll only go to San Francisco. Well, now, San Francisco has all the leverage in the trade. So, all the trade scenarios you go through, if he doesn't want to go to the Jets, he says, 'I'm not going.' So, it's fool's gold to get that pick. I can't make that deal happen."
What Lombardi said runs contrary to a report that surfaced in late January stating the Jets were at the top of Watson's preferred destinations list and that he was interested in playing for new Jets head coach and former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Watson, whose relationship with the Texans has deteriorated since signing a four-year, $156 million contract extension with the team in September of 2020, hasn't personally revealed anything publicly about where he might prefer to play, while the Texans continue to be adamant in their intention to keep Watson as their quarterback.
The Texans did make some quarterback-related news earlier on Tuesday when they came to an agreement with veteran Tyrod Taylor to a one-year deal. Taylor will provide the Texans with an experienced candidate at the quarterback position if the team ever decided to trade Watson, or if the standoff between the two sides happens to carry on past the start of the season.
Watch Lombardi discuss Watson in the video below. His quote about the 49ers takes place after the 5:20 mark:
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.@MemphisFB RB Blake Watson has outstanding burst + speed. 1,252 yards + 14 TDs 2023. 4.39 40, 41.5" VJ, 11-3 BJ at Pro Day.30s w/ #Broncos +
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