SUSPENSION LOOMING?
Just when you thought you could predict Deshaun Watson’s fate, consider this
Mar 8, 2022, 1:52 pm
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could lower the boom on Watson. Composite image by Jack Brame.
How the NFL's inaction could lead to a reunion between Watson, Texans
The other afternoon I was driving (5 mph stop and start) on I-45, listening to the radio and the sports talk host posed this question to his listeners:
Which will happen first – the baseball lockout ends or the Texans announce a Deshaun Watson trade?
Seriously? There will be a baseball season this year. There may not be a football season for Deshaun Watson in 2022.
What has happened, is there any indication, what makes anybody think that the Texans will find a trade partner for Deshaun Watson anytime soon?
Much like rush hour drivers on Houston highways, it’s time for the media to slam the brakes on Deshaun Watson trade talk. Right now all the Watson noise is just the media talking among themselves.
This week’s rumor has the Washington Commanders offering a slew of first-round picks for Watson. Add them to the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and more unnamed mystery teams linked to courting Watson.
And yet here the Texans still sit with an albatross holding a $156 million contract who has no desire to play for the Texans and the Texans have even less interest in playing him. It’s an unbelievable situation, until you remember we’re talking about the Houston Texans.
Deshaun Watson has become the one thing he’s never been – boring. Why have the Texans been unable to unload their exquisitely talented young quarterback? Think maybe it’s because Watson faces 22 civil lawsuits and the possibility of criminal charges alleging sexual misconduct? While the Harris County district attorney is expected to decide whether to file criminal charges before April 1, all those civil cases could loom for months or who knows how long?
It’s important to remember that Watson denies all the accusations and this is America, he’s presumed innocent. As his lawyer Rusty Hardin repeatedly says, “Deshaun Watson did not do what he is accused of doing.”
It may not matter how Watson’s legal situation turns out. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could lower the boom on Watson with a suspension based only on his personal disgust over Watson’s alleged misbehavior with nearly two dozen masseuses.
Goodell’s done it before. In 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers superstar quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a female college student in a bar in Milledgeville, GA. Prosecutors investigated the accusation, did not find enough evidence to file charges, and the case was dropped. Goodell suspended Roethlisberger six games anyway.
Goodell wrote a letter to Roethlisberger explaining his decision. “I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you … that said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”
I know a legal eagle who is a close follower of the Watson case. He believes that Watson will be suspended for “some, most or all of next season.” And “some” is about to leave town.
Goodell might be of mind to deal harshly with Watson, especially after being criticized for meting out mild punishment in past cases of violence against women. Ray Rice initially received only a two-game suspension for punching his fiancé, rendering her unconscious and dragging her body out of an elevator in 2014. Kareem Hunt missed only eight games for pushing and kicking a woman in 2018. No charges were filed against Hunt. The NFL suspended him for violating the Personal Conduct Policy.
This week Goodell suspended Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley an entire season – for starters – for betting on NFL games. While gambling on football is legal, and the NFL is in bed with gambling sites, it is strictly against the rules for NFL players.
Goodell might be wary of appearing to punish a player more severely for gambling than a player accused of assaulting women.
The Athletic football writer Jeff Howe has it right: "Until Watson's legal situation is resolved, teams remain unwilling to pursue a trade for the Texans quarterback. ... Teams haven't shown any urgency to pursue a trade this offseason while his legal situation is still up in the air."
While April 1 is when Watson may find out whether he faces criminal charges, there are other dates affecting where, when and if he’ll play football next season. NFL free agency starts March 16 and the NFL draft begins on April 28. That’s when teams pretty much plot their plans and rosters set for next season.
Last week, Washington head coach Ron Rivera responded to rumors that the Commanders were pursuing a trade for Watson. He told CBS Sports: “I think in certain situations, clarity and some sort of resolution is probably better for all these things because we don’t know who’s available and we don’t know what the circumstances are.”
Clarity and resolution are nowhere to be found in Deshaun Watson’s world these days.
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The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.
When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.
Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.
Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.
In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.
Underwhelming or overachieving?
Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.
King of the hill
One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.
What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?
Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.
Moving forward
While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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