"Essentially, anyone who needs a quarterback is going to be calling," Rapoport said Thursday on NFL Network.
The question for the 49ers is whether they are willing to surrender enough capital to show they are seriously interested in Watson. Or will the team choose to go with another quarterback, like Matthew Stafford, who would require less? There has been a lot of Watson-to-49ers chatter this week at the Senior Bowl.
The 49ers could even stick with Jimmy Garoppolo. It wasn't that long ago that head coach Kyle Shanahan said he expected Garoppolo to be the team's starter in 2021. Of course, that was before the quarterback landscape across the NFL looked on the verge of a massive shift.
"The Houston Texans, if they do decide to trade Deshaun Watson, are going to get a trade package that is going to be unprecedented," Rapoport said. "We've seen some big quarterback deals. Jay Cutler in 2009 went for two ones and a starter. It is expected to be more than that.
"This is probably going to rival some of the draft moves with multiple first-rounders. You're talking maybe not two, maybe three first-rounders and players. This is a generational quarterback who is also a great person and a great leader.
"If the Houston Texans decide to part ways with Deshaun Watson, it's going to be because they have no choice, because the package is that big, and because it is something they would use to rebuild the rest of their organization. Again, the Texans have not publicly made that decision."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Rapoport expects 49ers-Brandon Aiyuk drama to drag on through the summer
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk raised eyebrows over the weekend with a series of social media posts, including a photo of himself wearing a Washington Commanders hat and a video that appeared to take aim at his current team. Aiyuk clearly would love to be... -
49ers and Maxx Crosby: Albert Breer weighs in on potential blockbuster trade
Many believe the San Francisco 49ers could benefit from adding another proven veteran pass rusher to their defensive front. While the defense will welcome back Nick Bosa and expects 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams to return to the lineup at some point, the team could still... -
49ers linked to Steelers' Alex Highsmith in potential trade scenario
The San Francisco 49ers expect the eventual returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from ACL injuries to provide a significant boost to a pass rush that struggled to generate consistent pressure last season. The team also invested in the position during the offseason, selecting... -
NFL execs: 49ers could use in-season Mac Jones trade to bolster roster
The San Francisco 49ers never seriously entertained the idea of trading quarterback Mac Jones, especially after he stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy last season and helped keep the offense on track. However, with Jones entering the final year of his contract, 2026 could...