Mr. Scot

Those are all fair criticisms. My thing is that since he did finally fire Marty, he deferred to Matt Rhule on what kind of GM to hire and he's promised to let Fitterer and Rhule run the show, I have some hope that things will get better. That said, it hasn't escaped notice that he was previously preaching patience and he's not necessarily looking all that patient right now, so...

I wouldn't say I've turned on him, but I'm still not settled on whether he's a good owner or not. That judgment depends a lot on whether he stays hands off like he said he would.

We definitely don't have the draft capital those other teams do. If they want defensive players, we can offer one of the better options in Brian Burns but not a whole lot of people like that idea much. Logically speaking, even the best quarterback offer is gonna be a step down. Of course, if a team had a quarterback on Watson's level, what would be the incentive of trading for Watson?

Yeah, pretty much

I've thought about both Miami and San Francisco as options specifically because of Caserio. He has connections with both those teams in Brian Flores and Adam Peters. Plus both can offer starter quality quarterbacks (though not elite ones). Of course, none of that matters as long as the Texans stay firm on the "we're not trading him" thing

Probably. Is it really their fault though? Heck, Fitterer wasn't even here when we signed him.

Aaron Wilson said some similar things in his recent article. Interesting that McClain is including Miami now when he previously only talked about the Jets.

The NFC East in general is probably going to be interesting to watch next year. They just had the worst season of any division in history. How do you follow that?

If you say so...

That's one of those things I think you always have to look at when you're evaluating older players at any position. The guy who looks like he found The Fountain of Youth in week one sometimes looks like the victim of a life sucking vampire by week ten or twelve.

Wouldn't mind that, and we'd be doing so with a better talent evaluator running the process.

Most of my responses in this thread have been to people that quoted me. But again, if I said nothing whatsoever on the topic, do you think that changes anything? Again, I get that people don't like hearing that what they want to happen might not happen, but even if I posted nothing but "it's happening" gifs, it doesn't change anything. Heck, look at what Voth and Gantt have said on it.

I'm being a realist. I get that this is something a lot of people want. And I'd be pretty happy with it too. I'd also be happy if we could trade a second rounder for Aaron Donald, but I'm not getting my hopes up about it. Put it another way, do you think if I was all sunshine and rainbows about our chances it would change the reality of the situation?

Again, the Texans aren't going to look at an offer like this and say "Wow, they're giving us a great deal. We should hand them our franchise quarterback and be thankful." When it comes to trade negotiations, the average NFL team is about as reasonable as a no loan shark discussing interest rates.

Hate to tell ya, but the Texans aren't going to evaluate our players like Panther fans would. They're also not likely to be the most reasonable negotiators.

If they decide to let Watson go, they're trading away a franchise quarterback. What makes you think they just accept an average defensive player in return?

Which highlights another aspect of that scenario. Besides draft picks, the Dolphins can also offer a starter quality quarterback in return.

In context though, the current situation is that the Texans aren't trading him. Do the Dolphins still say they want to stick with Tua if that situation changes?

From the article above... They’re a popular team on his personal wish list and have the draft capital to pull it off.

Updated info from Aaron Wilson following the Wentz trade... Watson remains in quarterback limbo as the NFL's quarterback market evolves The Panthers are mentioned...briefly. Excerpts: Despite this movement on the heels of the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams exchanging Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson remains in a holding pattern along with other elite quarterbacks whose futures remain unresolved. Because the Texans and Watson’s staring contest hasn’t stopped — the team resolute in its desire to hold onto him and Watson and his representatives steadfast in their request for a trade — the status quo defines the awkward situation. That hasn’t stopped the constant conversation around the league surrounding Watson and other quarterbacks potentially available for the right price. ... Will Watson be headed to the Miami Dolphins? They’re a popular team on his personal wish list and have the draft capital to pull it off. A recent dinner for Watson while vacationing in Miami with former Clemson teammate and current Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins sparked a lot of buzz but little else. Watson is open to waiving his no-trade clause in his $156 million contract extension signed in September. The Denver Broncos are a team he’s considering, especially after recruiting efforts from former Texans safety Kareem Jackson. The San Francisco 49ers, who could move on from starting quarterback Jimmy Garroppolo and his $25.5 million price tag next season, are another contender. The New York Jets are the team best positioned to trade for Watson considering they have four first-round draft picks in the next two years and roughly $70 million in salary-cap space. However, Watson is aware that the Texans would want so much in return that it could weaken their competitiveness. The Carolina Panthers, led by owner David Tepper and coach Matt Rhule, covet Watson. ... As for the Texans, nothing has changed since chairman Cal McNair drew a line in the stand about Watson again last Friday when he said in telephone interview: “Deshaun is a Texan, and he’s going to be a Texan.” If the Texans remain dug in on not trading Watson, then he’s not expected to report and would incur hefty fines. That would include $95,877 for missing a mandatory minicamp, $50,000 per day for every day of training camp missed, and $620,000 for each regular-season game missed. ... The Texans have been firm in their desire to not trade Watson even though he isn’t returning telephone calls and text messages intended to sell them on their vision for a new leadership structure of general manager Nick Caserio and coach David Culley. “Our quarterback is under contract,” a team source said. “He is going to be our quarterback.” ... While Watson and the Texans’ impasse continues, the rest of the league could have heavy turnover. Already, the Lions, Rams and Colts with last year’s starter Philip Rivers retired and replaced by Wentz, have changed starting quarterbacks. The Las Vegas Raiders have rejected inquiries about Derek Carr, former Texans quarterback David Carr’s younger brother. The Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson, who has voiced complaints about the offensive line and direction of the franchise, are in an uneasy alliance. The Washington football team is expected to explore its options after ending last season with Taylor Heinicke stepping in for Alex Smith after the team cut Dwayne Haskins. The New England Patriots are expected to evaluate college quarterbacks like Alabama’s Mac Jones after struggling last season with veteran Cam Newton. They would be an interesting landing spot for Watson, whom coach Bill Belichick has a ton of respect for. The Panthers are expected to try to upgrade from Teddy Bridgewater whether it’s through the draft or a veteran.

2015 feels like a lifetime ago.

Big fan of McCaffrey as a player, but "reasonable" isn't the first word I'd use when describing his contract.

It'd make sense, but they're taking a hell of a cap hit with the Wentz trade so they need whomever they get to be pretty cheap. That makes a rookie a very possible option. I forget who (probably Joe Person) but someone recently mentioned in a discussion about the Panthers and Wentz that trading Bridgewater to them would be pretty tough to do given his contract and their cap situation.

As far as Seattle connections, there's word the Seahawks are unlikely to re-sign Chris Carson. Whether we'd look at him? Unknown. Might depend on how he compares to Mike Davis.

I'd agree, but apparently there's now word that their starting QB choice is gonna be determined by competition. Quoting Adam Schefter in the article PFT cites as a source... ...while the Eagles are likely to turn to Jalen Hurts, though they also intend to bring in competition for him. The Eagles' starting job is not expected to automatically go to Hurts. Gotta figure that at least potentially includes them drafting someone.