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Sunday was scary for all football fans when Patrick Mahomes left the game with a concussion. We also saw the magic of the backup QB when Chad Henne saved the day by running for a first down on third and forever.
In the NFC Championship game, at least during the first half, Brees and Brady looked average at best.
NY Jets: Deshaun Watson wanted the Texans to interview Robert Saleh
Watson reportedly identified two candidates who he wanted the Texans to interview for the team’s head coach vacancy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and now-former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Deshaun Watson is clearly fond of NY Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh
While the Texans eventually came around to interviewing Bieniemy — only after first passing — they never did so with Saleh. Obviously, Watson, who was told that he would be a key part of the coaching search, was none too pleased.
That combined with a host of other things has led to Watson feeling alienated by the Texans organization. And some reports seem to indicate that there may not be a solution.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported on Saturday that Watson “just wants out” and that he has “has migrated past the point of no return” with the organization.
Given his apparent respect for Saleh, this has obviously led to rumors that the Jets could be interested. Are those rumors substantial in any way? Probably not. But it’s fun to theorize.
Sources believe Deshaun Watson may have played last snap with Houston Texans
Multiple people in and around the Houston Texans organization believe Deshaun Watson has played his last snap with the team, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Watson is still upset with the Texans over, among other issues, the process they used to hire general manager Nick Caserio, according to multiple sources, leading to widespread speculation that Houston could trade the star quarterback this offseason or be faced with the real possibility that he could decide to withhold his services and not report if he isn’t dealt.
One source told ESPN’s Sarah Barshop that the Texans have had internal conversations about possible trade partners and what their quarterback position would look like in the future without Watson.
There is a growing consensus within the NFL, according to Mortensen, that Watson will force his way out, and the Texans believe he will command a high compensation package in a trade.
“You coming back?” Ward asked Verrett while laughing.
“We gonna see,” Verrett responded. “We gonna see. We gonna see.”
That’s when Ward campaigned for the 49ers’ general manager to make sure Verrett is taken care of financially and re-signed.
“I’m pretty sure word is going to get out to John Lynch and [head coach Kyle Shanahan],” Ward continued while adding that he knows Verrett is interested in returning.
SF 49ers would entertain a Nick Bosa trade for Deshaun Watson
Full disclaimer: The SF 49ers shouldn’t start any trade discussions for Watson with Bosa as a bargaining token if they were to happen. But they don’t have to rule out Bosa as untouchable. Same goes with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but that’s a discussion for another time.
And MVP-caliber quarterbacks are infinitely more important to a team’s success than elite pass-rushers.
2020 provides excellent case studies in this. For starters, Bosa appeared in just 1.5 games last season before suffering his season-ending ACL tear. Despite the lack of an efficient four-man pass rush, San Francisco still allowed the fifth-fewest yards during the regular season (5,030) and had the sixth-best defensive DVOA (defensive value over average), per Football Outsiders.
Having Bosa for all of last season would have helped, but this unit got by OK without him.
2. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
A prospect who did not play a snap in 2020, Rashawn Slater opted out of this past college football season to focus on his preparations for the draft, though it does not appear to have hurt his stock.
Indeed, NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah had Slater as his top offensive lineman in the class ahead of Oregon’s Penei Sewell – the consensus top tackle in the draft – back in November.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that assessment was correct, Slater having produced an extremely impressive performance for the Wildcats in 2019 against 2020 second overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Chase Young.
Tabbed by many as a better fit at guard because of his inferior arm length compared to the other tackles in the class, Slater possesses the versatility to play every position on the offensive line.
And his mobility and athleticism make him a natural fit for the zone-blocking scheme employed by the 49ers offense.