Report: Texans now aiming to trade Deshaun Watson before 2022 league year begins

For a good chunk of the 2021 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins were linked to embattled Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson.

Although a deal didn’t come together before this season’s trade deadline, it was reported last month that league executives expect Miami to make another run at the star quarterback in the coming offseason.

The rumor mill could start churning soon as the Texans will reportedly look to trade Watson before the start of the 2022 league year.

“The target now is to trade Watson before the 2022 league year begins on March 16, maximizing the flexibility the Texans have in free agency and the draft,” wrote NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. “And some clarity on the serious legal matters Watson faces could be coming soon.”

The Dolphins’ current season will be ending with another disappointment as the team has already been eliminated from playoff contention.

It has been a roller coaster of a year for Miami. After winning its season opener, the team went on a seven-game losing streak. But the Dolphins kept their postseason hopes alive by stringing together seven consecutive wins.

Unfortunately, the Tennessee Titans stopped the Dolphins in their tracks, routing them 34-3 in their Week 17 match. With the loss, Miami lost any hope of reaching the postseason.

The organization will look to regroup this offseason. Only time will tell if Watson ends up being part of the roster in the near future.

If the Dolphins do acquire Watson, they will have to determine what to do with promising quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. For his part, Tagovailoa has said that he is not worried about possible trade talks that might occur in the offseason.