Houston Texans ‘slowly transferring on’ from star QB Deshaun Watson

The Houston Texans’ decision to sign veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor earlier in the off-season was not necessarily seen as a harbinger of things to come. The signing could have taken place under star quarterback Deshaun Watson, who asked for a deal. But that’s pretty much the extent.

Fast forward a few months and that’s no longer the case. After the first selection in the 2021 NFL Draft for former Stanford quarterback Davis Mills, it is firmly believed that the Texans are different from Mr. Watson.

“Teams I’ve spoken to in the league are finding that the Houston Texans are slowly departing from Deshaun Watson because they have their bridge quarterback in Tyrod Taylor and their development draft pick in Davis Mills, a quarterback I ‘. I’ve said they get on really well with his instincts, intelligence and big arm, “ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently noted (h / t Bleacher Report).

All of this has an obvious background. Rumors of Watson’s dissatisfaction with the Houston Texans gave way back in March to a more notable story in which the quarterback was accused of sexual assault. Since then, women north of 20 have made similar allegations in civil cases.

While the legal situation has not yet been resolved in a civil court, the Houston Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into the allegations. Meanwhile, Roger Goodell and the NFL have launched their own investigation under the guise of the Code of Conduct.

Did the Houston Texans show their hand with Deshaun Watson?

December 20, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the warm up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

With no selection in either of the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, Houston surprised the crowds by putting Mills at the top of the third round. While viewed as a project, don’t use that type of draft capital on a quarterback – they keep nothing but a backup.

These Texans not only added Taylor and Mills, but also traded for Ryan Finley from the fourth round of the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s three new quarterbacks in the mix months after Houston new general manager Nick Caserio even resisted the possibility of trading with Watson. Houston could be gearing up for some end of NFL action when it comes to Watson.

What’s next for Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans?

December 27, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It is more than likely that Watson will be put on the commissioner’s exception list later this summer in case the legal situation does not peak in the near future. At this rate, there is no reason to believe that Watson’s legal team will reach an out-of-court settlement. This will lead to a lengthy process.

Recent reports have shown that Watson is likely to be suspended from the NFL before the legal situation in the Houston area emerges. The league reserves the right to suspend a player without charge in a criminal court or conviction. That is another important setting.

Should Watson be cleared of these allegations in time for the start of the 2021 NFL season, there is now every reason to believe the Texans will have trade talks with teams. That market could also be curtailed after interested teams from the San Francisco 49ers (Trey Lance), Chicago Bears (Justin Fields) and New England Patriots (Mac Jones) added quarterbacks to the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

WATCH: Sportsnaut’s Carolyn Manno on the latest NFL draft rumors