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About the Author: Jon Ledyard

Avatar Of Jon Ledyard
Jon Ledyard is PewterReport.com's newest Bucs beat writer and has experience covering the Pittsburgh Steelers as a beat writer and analyzing the NFL Draft for several draft websites, including The Draft Network. Follow Ledyard on Twitter at @LedyardNFLDraft

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The Bucs search for Tom Brady’s replacement is barely underway, and already rumors are swirling. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has the Bucs atop his list of desired trade destinations. That list also includes the Vikings, who are going through a bit of a re-tooling this offseason.

Watson spent the 2021 season with the Texans, but didn’t play a single snap. Once one of the most beloved and respected players in the NFL, 22 civil cases of sexual assault or inappropriate behavior filed by women last offseason left the star quarterback in disgrace. Watson has barely been visible publicly since the allegations surfaced. Fowler writes:

Watson is the defendant in 22 civil cases filed by women in four states alleging sexual assault or inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. His legal issues remain unresolved, and whether the league suspends him under the personal conduct policy is uncertain. The expectation league-wide, however, is that the Texans will once again explore trade options for Watson, possibly around the start of the new league year March 16 or the NFL draft in late April.

Bucs Doing Homework On Watson

It was reported last week by Ian Rapoport that the Bucs are doing “extensive homework” on Watson. That’s no surprise, as Tampa Bay likely hasn’t looked into his situation previously, unlike other teams. Obviously the Bucs will examine all options in attempting to find a top quarterback. They know the franchise is currently in a contending window, and would like to maximize that window with a star signal caller.

But Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract. So he must be sold on Tampa Bay over other destinations. Regardless, it’s difficult to imagine a trade until after Watson’s legal situation is resolved. The former first-round pick could still face criminal charges and a lengthy suspension by the NFL. And the Texans’ rumored asking price has been three first round picks and then some. They’re obviously content to hold onto Watson until teams feel comfortable paying up. Don’t expect that to be anytime before the start of the new league year.

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