Texans hope to move Watson amid multiple sexual assault claims
Reported asking price for quarterback starts at three first-round draft picks
First-year GM Nick Caserio and the Houston Texans are listening to trade offers for quarterback Deshaun Watson, according to multiple reports.
The shift comes after Watson reported to training camp on Sunday. Caserio and head coach David Culley said during the off-season, even after sexual assault and misconduct allegations arose against Watson, that the Texans had “no interest” in trading the franchise quarterback.
Watson signed a four-year, $156-million contract extension last year, but frustration from a losing season, the trade of wide receiver Deandre Hopkins and not being involved in discussions surrounding the team's decisions on a new head coach sparked Watson's request.
Watson's personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, told ESPN he expected Watson to be traded not long after reporting to camp.
However, the Texans have not yet received any trade offers they consider “serious,” according to ESPN.
ESPN reported the Texans' asking price for Watson is “some combination of five high draft picks or players.” The NFL Network reported the asking price starts at three first-round draft picks.
The team begins on-field practice work on Monday.
How the Texans move forward at quarterback and if they allow Watson to take part in those practices while on the trade block is unclear.
Watson faces 22 active claims of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour from women he largely met through massage therapy sessions.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers plans to play this season for the Green Bay Packers after all, the NFL Network reported Monday.
The report comes the same day that Green Bay executives addressed shareholders at Lambeau Field on the eve of training camp.
Rodgers, 37, has stayed away from the team, including skipping mandatory mini-camp, generating months-long speculation about where he would play the 2021 season, if at all. Rodgers' last public comments came early this month when he said he had been devoting time this off-season to his mental health and spiritual self.
On Monday, Packers president Mark Murphy and GM Brian Gutekunst took questions from shareholders about where things stand with the reigning NFL MVP.
Gutekunst, the source of Rodgers' reported ire since the general manager drafted Jordan Love in 2020 without speaking with Rodgers first, said he was “hopeful” for a positive outcome.
“We want him back, we're committed to him for 2021 and beyond,” Murphy told shareholders, adding the standoff has been a “challenging situation, but let's not forget all the great things he's done.”
Packers veterans report Tuesday with the team's first practice scheduled for Wednesday.
Cincinnati Bengals second-year quarterback Joe Burrow is “cleared to do everything” in training camp, but will probably not play in pre-season games next month.
Bengals training camp begins Tuesday and head coach Zac Taylor said the 2020 No. 1 overall pick will line up behind centre in 11-on11 drills.
Bengals president Mike Brown said Monday that the team will likely keep Burrow on the sidelines for pre-season games.
The comments came a day after Burrow, recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, cleared the physically unable to perform list.
Burrow completed 65.3 per cent of his passes for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions before his rookie season was derailed by a knee injury on Nov. 22 against the Washington Football Team.
He tore his left ACL and MCL and suffered partial tears to his PCL and meniscus.
The Bengals open their pre-season schedule on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 14.
They kick off the regular season at home against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 12.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich and All-pro linebacker Darius Leonard will both miss the beginning of training camp.
Reich tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, while Leonard is recovering from minor ankle surgery.
Reich said he is asymptomatic. “I'm excited for training camp, however I'm disappointed I won't be there with the team as we start,” Reich said in a statement.
“I'm feeling well and I'm looking forward to returning as soon as I'm medically cleared.”
Reich, 59, is in quarantine outside of the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind., where the Colts begin camp.
The earliest he can return is next Monday.
Leonard underwent surgery in June for a nagging issue in his ankle, a procedure GM Chris Ballard termed “nothing serious.”
Leonard, a two-time All-pro and Pro Bowl selection, is entering his fourth season and due for a massive contract extension that's expected to be in the $19-millionper-year range.
Welcome to the rebranded home of the New Orleans Saints, the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints and Caesars Entertainment on Monday announced a 20-year exclusive naming rights deal. The agreement goes hand in hand with Caesars' $325-million renovation of Harrah's New Orleans into Caesars New Orleans.
The Advocate in New Orleans reported the deal is worth approximately $138 million and that the Saints will receive all the proceeds.
The Caesars Superdome will host Super Bowl LIX in 2025 and the 2022 NCAA men's Final Four, among hundreds of other events.