Report: Former Clemson QB Watson Narrows Trade Choice to Two Teams, Still Mulling Decision

Nobody quite knows when Deshaun Watson will make his choice on which NFL team he'll be traded to in 2022, but at least the choices and timeline have narrowed.

A decision could come at any time, and the Houston Texans quarterback who was a star at Clemson is eyeing either to return home to the Atlanta Falcons or make a short move to New Orleans to join the Saints, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.

Deshaun Watson has not made a decision and is still weighing his options as he weighs this major decision on which team to waive no-trade clause for, according to league source. Falcons, Saints are leaders for three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, per sources.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 17, 2022

Watson asked for a trade from the Texans last year before 22 lawsuits for sexual misconduct were filed against him. He sat out all of the 2021 season as a healthy scratch, and Friday was not indicted on any criminal charges.

That meant the trade sweepstakes were ramped up, and Waston met with the Saints, Falcons, Panthers and Browns this week. Watson had a second meeting Thursday with the Saints, according to reporter Nick Underhill. The Browns fell out of contention on Thursday as well.

Carolina was informed later in the day it was also not on Watson's list.

Carolina has been informed it is out on Deshaun Watson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022

Watson has a no-trade clause that he'll waive once he's made a decision, and the Texans approved offers from other teams before allowing the meetings to take place. It likely won't take long before a deal is done and both sides move on, but it might take a few more days, Wilson reported Thursday night.

Deshaun Watson currently expected to take next few days and contemplate his decision over weekend, per league sources, over which team he'll waive his no-trade clause for, and Falcons have pushed back Matt Ryan's $7.5 million roster bonus from Friday to Tuesday
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 18, 2022

Watson was the NFL's leading passer in 2020, the same year he received a mega-extension from the Texans, but he became discouraged by the direction of the organization, which is on its third head coach in less than two years.

Watson played three seasons at Clemson, taking the Tigers to two College Football Playoffs and winning a national championship in the 2016 season.

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