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The NFL world has been buzzing with rumors about Deshaun Watson potentially being traded due to his frustrations with the Houston Texans franchise. While it’s been nothing but speculation, that hasn’t stopped many from speculating about potential landing spots for Watson.
Bears fans have welcomed the conversation with open arms, especially considering general manager Ryan Pace already made the mistake of letting Watson get away in the 2017 NFL Draft.
NFL.com’s David Carr believes the Bears are one of four teams that should pursue Watson — that is assuming the Texans would actually go through with trading their franchise quarterback.
It certainly feels like the Bears’ chances of retaining Allen Robinson, who’s set to become a free agent, grow slimmer by the day. And while Robinson may want a fresh start, the Bears need to do everything in their power to keep the stud receiver in Chicago. Trading for a player like Watson could be the answer. The Bears made the playoffs this season with an uninspiring offense (ranked 26th overall) that was also without a viable quarterback. Plug Watson into this team, and it immediately gets a whole lot better.
The Bears would likely get maximum production from Robinson, presuming he resigned to play with Watson, and the rest of their receiving corps; he’d also make the rushing attack a bigger threat, which would provide the defense a break. The Bears wouldn’t be quite as dynamic or intricate as Kansas City, but Matt Nagy’s system and his ability as a play-caller (though his performance on that front was a bit iffy in 2020) makes this a great scheme fit for the quarterback.
While it would be nice to see Watson in navy and orange — and have him erase decades of struggle at the quarterback position — it’s not likely. Even if the Texans were to part ways with Watson, it would have to be for the right price.
Three first-round picks, two second-round picks and a Pro-Bowl caliber player have been speculated as an asking price from Houston. And the Bears don’t have an attractive draft standing at 20th.
Still, with the offseason just beginning, expect to hear plenty more conversation about the possibly of Watson being traded and the Bears to be linked in those discussions. Even if nothing comes from it.
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