Photo Information: EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 15: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans meets Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets on the field after his teams win at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Texans defeated the Jets 29-22. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
It takes more than a grade-A quarterback to win in the NFL, and the Houston Texans proved that this season. Three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions, posting a 70.2 completion percentage. Compare that to Jets incumbent Sam Darnold’s 2,208 yards, nine touchdown passes and eleven interceptions in 12 games. Still, Houston went 4-12, winning only two more games than New York.
The question Gang Green has to answer right now is, “How much are we willing to give up in a bid for Watson?”
In the Stafford-Goff blockbuster trade announced on Jan. 30, the Lions sent Stafford to the Rams in exchange for the Rams’ first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, a third-round pick in 2021 and quarterback Jared Goff. Goff’s stats are good, but Watson’s are better. The trade hints at the likelihood of the Jets having – some or all of – their first- and second-round 2021 draft pick collection, and late-round picks, wiped clean to relocate Watson to the Meadowlands. The Jets have the second, 27th and 34th pick within the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Watson's contract isn't outrageous – and according to CBS Sports, Watson wants to suit up in green and white come 2021 – so the biggest force pushing against him playing in New York is the "all-for-one" mentality it'll take to get him there.
Unless Jets general manager Joe Douglas can acquire Watson and keep strategic draft picks that the Jets need to fill holes in the roster, going all-in on a QB is a risky bet when the Jets need to round out the o-line, add a pair of hands at receiver and legs at RB. Plus, an edge rusher and corner are needed on defense. It’s a balancing act. At the same time, the Jets shouldn’t be able to confidently move into the 2021 season with Darnold as QB1 until exploring all possibilities without getting exploited in return.
Former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh took over at head coach and brought a new staff with him. San Francisco’s passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur steps in at offensive coordinator and Atlanta’s assistant head coach Jeff Ulbrich buckles up at defensive coordinator, plus Saleh's nine new offensive staff assignments and five new defensive ones.
A new coach can do just that, coach. He can’t pull competitive players out of thin air to fit the scheme. The Jets probably know that. Now, they need to act accordingly.
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