Dolphins still might pursue Texans’ Watson

The Houston Texans are now willing to listen to trade offers for disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson, and the Dolphins have not eliminated themselves from the running, according to a source with direct knowledge.

While the Dolphins remain interested to see how Tua Tagovailoa develops, they also continue to do due diligence to see if landing the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback is realistic, the source said.

In other words, Tagovailoa’s improvement this offseason — and Watson’s ongoing legal issues — did not cause the Dolphins to decide that they definitely won’t pursue Watson. But whether they will make a highly aggressive bid remains to be seen.

A second league source who spoke with the Dolphins earlier this offseason said they privately conveyed an interest in Watson during the spring.

NFL Network reported Monday that the Texans are listening to offers for Watson, who has requested a trade, but that Houston wants at least three first-round picks and more. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, quoting two league sources, said the Texans want some combination of five high picks and starting caliber players.

If the Dolphins decide to make an aggressive bid, they could offer San Francisco’s first-round pick in 2022 (the Dolphins’ only first-round pick in next year’s draft) and their own first-round pick in 2023 and the 49ers’ first-round pick in 2023, which is also owned by the Dolphins.

Watson reported to Texans’ training camp Sunday, reportedly to avoid a $50,000 daily fine. He faces 22 lawsuits from massage therapists that allege sexual assault and inappropriate behavior but has not been charged criminally.

The NFL is conducting an investigation but hasn’t said if he will suspended or if he will be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.

Watson is due to make $10.5 million this season and is signed through 2025. He’s due $129 million over the next five seasons.

THIS AND THAT

Tight end Hunter Long, the Dolphins’ third-round pick, agreed to contract terms Monday.

Under the NFL’s rookie wage scale, Long is due to earn $4.97 million over four years, with a signing bonus worth $973,604.

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, who did not participate in the team’s offseason program because he wants more money, has strongly been considering reporting for the start of training camp on Tuesday, according to an associate.

Howard would face a $50,000 daily fine if he holds out. The source said he remains unhappy about his contract; he has four years remaining on a five-year, $75.5 million extension signed in May 2021.

Howard has been training hard with the intention of playing this season.

BARRY JACKSON, ARMANDO SALGUERO