Could QB Watson be headed to Miami?

If the Miami Dolphins are truly in the market for a new quarterback, one of the best in the NFL could become available.

Houston Texans franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson would consider a potential trade to the Dolphins, according to a report on Sunday by ESPN.

Watson, who just finished his fourth NFL season, has become uneasy with the Texans’ recent decisions on general managerial hires and interviews for the team’s next head coach.

The Texans reportedly did not interview Kansas City Chiefs of f ensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for their coaching job, although Watson advocated for him. The team also hired former New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio for their new general manager job.

Watson offered input for both Texans positions, but did not believe his endorsements were considered. The Texans are still searching for a new head coach.

So, enter the Dolphins, who have Brian Flores and Chris Grier as the only black coach and general manager tandem in the NFL, a young quarterback who can develop and ample draft compensation they could provide

Houston in a potential trade for Watson.

Although Grier said l ast week that rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would be the Dolphins’ starting quarterback in 2021, the Dolphins would likely have to part with their No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL draft after one season in a deal for Watson.

The Dolphins also own two draft picks in each of the first and second rounds of the 2021 NFL draft, which could also factor into the compensation.

Watson has some leverage in the matter: His four- year, $ 156 million deal has a no- trade clause so he could dictate where he wants to play if he does force a trade.

Flores needs to hire his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, while Grier must fill the

vary up the styles of receivers they have on the field and balance out the offense. It also puts a premium on receivers who can take the top off defenses like the Ravens’ Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, and those who can produce run- after- catch yards like Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs.

Rams rebuilding on the fly

The Rams played in a Super Bowl two years ago, and underwent a rebuild the past two seasons that have allowed them to advance to the second round of the playoffs despite having the youngest roster in the NFL. It doesn’t hurt that the Rams, who average 25.8 years old for their players on the roster, posses an established veteran quarterback in Jared Goff, and a two- time Defensive Player of the Year in Aaron Donald. The Rams could be title contenders for years to come if health allows.

Brady won without Belichick

Bill Belichick has only been to the playoffs once without quarterback Tom Brady on his roster, and that was with the Cleveland Browns in 1994. Brady has now won a playoff game without Belichick, adding fuel to the theory that Brady has just as much ownership of that Patriots dynasty as Belichick did. We’ll soon see what Belichick can do with an improved roster once the players who opted out of the 2020 season return, and New England adds a quarterback better than Cam Newton. It’ll be interesting to see if Brady can lead the Buccaneers to the championship round.

Is this the last we see of Brees? As great players age their ability declines, but more importantly they become more susceptible to injuries, and take longer to heal. Drew

Brees, who turned 42 this week and is battling back from broken ribs that kept him sidelined a month, hasn’t shied away from hinting that this could be his final season in the NFL.

Wilson needs an elite defense

Russell Wilson took to Seahawks teams to the Super Bowl when he was a youngster in the NFL, winning one title and losing another on a questionable offensive play- call in the contest’s closing minutes. But since then he’s had a series of early playoff exits in eight seasons, which serves as proof that Seattle’s run as a title contender was more about the Legion of Boom than it was Wilson and the Seahawks offense. At this point, the Seahawks need more defensive playmakers than they need weapons for Wilson.

Jackson silences his critics

Lamar Jackson’s failures in the postseason were the major storyline heading into Sunday’s win over the Titans. He was 0- 2 in the playoffs after the 28- 12 upset loss to the Titans last year, when Baltimore was the AFC’s top seed and a 10- point favorite. Jackson threw for 179 yards, and ran for 136 yards and scored a rushing touchdown on 16 carries Sunday. One of those was a 48- yard touchdown run that will likely be a bookmark for his career.

Will Rivers run it back?

Philip Rivers delivered the teams he started for nine winning seasons in his 17- year career, but he owns a 5- 7 record in the postseason and has only advanced to the conference championship once during his accomplished career. Colts coach Frank Reich said he wants Rivers, who signed a one- year, $ 25 million contract in March 2020 after he spent the first 16 years of his career with the Chargers, to come back. But there’s no evidence he can lead the Colts anywhere but to a first- or second- round loss.