Getty Images Quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans.
Now that Russell Wilson is off the table, it’s time for the Philadelphia Eagles to turn the spotlight on Deshaun Watson. They have long been mentioned as a prime candidate to land the embattled quarterback despite his serious legal troubles.
One report indicated that Howie Roseman sent an investigator down to Houston to gather more information on Watson. Meanwhile, team owner Jeffrey Lurie reportedly green-lighted a deal for the three-time Pro Bowler last season. The smoke on this rumor has more stacks than a reactor at Three Mile Island.
Former Eagles president Joe Banner was the latest to enter the fray. He delivered a bombshell report for a website called “The 33rd Team” where he revealed that Watson is very much in play for Philly.
This is so false, that it’s ridiculous
Banner added that he believes they keep hyping up Hurts as a way to increase his trade value. He called the Eagles “the most likely landing spot for Watson,” with Hurts serving as the key piece of that deal. Banner wrote:
The Eagles’ effusiveness and the degree of their enthusiasm about Hurts at the Combine could be an indicator that the team is trying to maximize the trade value of the player. I do not believe the Eagles would trade Hurts under other circumstances unless it was for a high-quality QB.
With Watson, they’d be getting a top 5 to top 7 QB for $34M APY. If he were up for an extension right now, he’d get at least $45-47M. I can’t think of an example of a player of this caliber being traded.
Interesting nugget from former #Eagles GM Joe Banner.
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Multiple Reports Say Eagles Made Offer for Wilson
It was no secret the Eagles were very interested in acquiring Russell Wilson. They had been chasing him since he got away from them in the 2012 NFL draft. So it should come as no surprise that Philly presented a trade offer to Seattle for the nine-time Pro Bowler before he was jettisoned to Denver.
According to multiple reports, Wilson wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause for Philadelphia. Jake Heaps of Seattle Sports 710 was one of the first to break the news, but he didn’t include any specific offer or framework for the deal. Wilson also turned down a deal from the Washington Commanders, per Heaps.
Eagles Don’t Use Franchise Tag
The Eagles let the March 8 deadline for franchise tagging come and go with no movement. They aren’t a team that traditionally likes to slap the dreaded franchise tag on players. In fact, the last time they pulled it out was in 2012 on DeSean Jackson, only to sign him to a five-year extension before the regular season.
Interestingly, Jackson qualified for a recent list of the “Top 20 Most Hated Players” in the NFL compiled by the Forth Worth-Star Telegram. He finished in 15th place, sandwiched between Josh McDaniels and Jalen Ramsey, with 13,598 votes. It should be noted that the Forth Worth-Star Telegram is a Dallas-based publication. Take it for what it’s worth. Get it?
Today marks 11 years ago since Desean Jackson made this iconic TD vs Dallas.
DJax has been terrorizing the Cowboys his entire career, and continued doing it this year 🔥
#Eagles