2021 NFL Special Bets: Deshaun Watson Odds Hint New York Jets Favorites Following Trade Request

What started out as speculation has flown into a full-blown trade frenzy following reports that Deshaun Watson was formally requested an exit from the Houston Texans this off-season.

The quarterback was already rumored to be on the move after growing unhappy with the ownership in Texas, but a change of scenery now looks assured despite David Culley being hired as the new head coach, per ESPN:

The hiring of #Texans coach David Culley doesn’t change Deshaun Watson’s mind. He wants out and can determine where he goes. https://t.co/c9Rlbrv5MK

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2021

The upcoming Super Bowl LV clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers has a lot of focus in the American football sphere at present, but Betrivers is running a special market on where Watson will begin the 2021 NFL season. Despite the rumors, Houston were still favored to hold onto their star quarterback at +200 as recently as Wednesday (Jan. 27), but the Texans have since dropped to +700 odds following the news of a formal trade request.

The New York Jets have slipped in as the new hottest candidates to begin the next campaign with Watson, and there’s plenty of reason to run with the new frontrunners. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald wrote Watson personally prefers the Jets after Robert Saleh took over as their new head coach, not to mention they’d be able to offer Houston the three first-round Draft picks that would likely be required as a minimum entering negotiations, two of which are for this year:

17 trade proposals for Deshaun Watson, ranked from least to most likely 👀

Check out the full list here (ESPN+) ➡️ https://t.co/fgwtgN78bf pic.twitter.com/sfJ32oyn4V

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 28, 2021

Only the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15) recorded fewer 2020 wins than the 2-14 Jets, who looked miserable alternating between Sam Darnold and Joe Flacco as their quarterbacks. Only Baltimore (2,919) completed fewer passing yards than the Jets (3,115) this past season, but the Ravens happened to shine in rushing, while New York recorded a joint-league low of nine running touchdowns.

The Jets would be giving up considerable draft capital and salary cap space to obtain Watson, which is a risk considering they’ve got requirements in other areas, too. However, one of those higher draft picks would need to be used on a quarterback in any case, so they may as well use it to go after a superstar talent like Watson, who’s still only 25 and broke numerous franchise records in Houston, as well as being voted to three Pro Bowls (2018-20).

Other realistic candidates to take the wantaway playmaker include the Miami Dolphins (+500) and the New England Patriots (+900), both of whom are immediate rivals for the Jets in the AFC East, which is even more reason to not let them snag his signature.

Prediction: Watson starts 2021 NFL season with New York Jets (+300)

Deshaun Watson’s NFL Team for 2021 Season Kick-Off Odds