New Denver Broncos GM George Paton said in his opening statement that he announced his commitment to be “aggressive but not reckless” in building the list. Just over a day later, Paton told the team’s website that Broncos would be “involved in every business.”
It sets the stage for the latest news from Deshaun Watson’s commercial rumors. Although Watson has not yet formally requested a Texan transaction, ESPN Reports that close sources in Houston believe that the dissatisfied defender played his last shot for the team that scored him in 12th place in 2017.
This buzz has given rise to those who are likely to start betting seriously on where Watson could still land – if it is indeed traded. Conformable Sportsbook.comThe Broncos have a 5/1 chance to land three times the Pro Bowler, which is the fourth best in the NFL.
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The teams ranked ahead of Denver in the Watson commercial groups are the New York Jets (2/1), the Miami Dolphins (3/1) and the Chicago Bears (4/1). Again, the Broncos are at No. 4 with 5/1 odds, followed by the Indianapolis Colts at No. 5 with 8/1 odds.
What once seemed like a pipe dream at best has suddenly become more and more realistic. 10 days ago, the notion of Texans trading Watson was inconceivable.
After all, Texans may have had a season to forget, but it’s only a few months away from Watson’s $ 156 million in new money extension. He received $ 73.716 million fully guaranteed upon signing.
This is a great commitment to QB, which has made the behavior of the Houston owner even more amazing. The McNair family is supposed to have told Watson that he will help select the next GM and head coach of the Texans.
Houston hired former Patriots quarterback Nick Caserio to support the Brinks truck to make him the highest paid GM in the NFL. Watson was not consulted on employment.
That got Watson out, and now the Texans are in a pickle. Time will tell if Houston can save this with 25-year-old Watson, but his negotiation, based on the latest inside reports, has become a distinct possibility, so much so that bettors are betting.
Is this level of blockbuster trading something that Paton would face in his first off-season as Broncos GM? I have my doubts, especially because of the king’s ransom, that you need to get Watson out of Houston’s hands.
Paton could check to see what Houston’s demand will be, but suffice it to say, the Broncos should be willing not only to absorb Watson’s strong contract, but also to give up the proverbial farm. Such a move would require us to say goodbye to at least two draft variants in the first round, if not three, and maybe even a few seconds.
“You really have to know where you are as a team and that, in turn, determines your aggression,” Paton told the team’s website last week. “But I think you are involved in every business that exists and then you can discuss and collaborate and determine only if you want to make that leap. It is very important to be involved in everything so that you do not miss a business that could be with you. So we will be aggressive – involved – but that does not mean we will jump. ”
Meanwhile, insiders in Denver, such as Woody Paige, report that Drew Lock will once again be the owner of the Broncos and that John Elway and Vic Fangio are campaigning for Paton to play. Another year with Lock under the center is likely the end result, but if Paton looks around the league, researches the 2021 draft class and finally decides Lock is the best option, expect the Broncos to sign a veteran more competent and proven to support him up.
As for Watson, it is a situation to be monitored. But Broncos fans really, and I really want to say, should not raise their hopes.
Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.