Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson was cleared of criminal wrongdoing on Friday, stemming from several allegations of sexual misconduct with massage therapists in Houston. A plethora of civil cases remains unresolved on the matter. Still, Waston evading criminal prosecution was the mammoth hurdle to clear if he sought to play in the NFL anytime soon.
On the possibility of landing Watson on the Minnesota Vikings, fans of the organization are torn, leaning toward a no as to uphold the high moral standard usually evident under the ownership of Mark and Zygi Wilf.
The “poll” is unscientific but does provide a reasonable barometer on fans’ opinions, as 1,737 folks opined.
Watson joining the Vikings is not a total pipe dream. On Saturday, Aaron Wilson at ProFootbalNetwork.com detailed the Watson shortlist of trade destinations — and the Vikings were nestled in the group along with the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Wilson wrote about Watson in Minnesota:
“The Minnesota Vikings have expressed interest in Watson despite the presence of quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to sources. Cousins, who has the largest salary cap figure in the NFL, is potentially available via a trade for the right price. The Vikings appear to be an attractive potential destination for Watson given the presence of wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and running back Dalvin Cook.“
– Aaron Wilson | ProFootballNetwork.com
One month ago, rumors hit about Watson in purple — and those felt like poppycock, because why would the Vikings want to marry a quarterback embroiled in legal malarkey. Well, everything changed when the Texas judge tossed the criminal allegations against him, seemingly with the snap of two fingers.
If the trade went through, Minnesota would net a Top 5 NFL quarterback, jettisoning one divisive quarterback, Kirk Cousins, for another in Watson. And those seedlings of division are borne of totally different rationales. Cousins is chided as a “mediocre quarterback,” whereas many fans still perceive Watson as a predator.
Minnesota still has a long way to go before acquiring Watson — they must stave off the other suitors — but the Clemson would alumnus would bring unquestionably dazzling quarterback play to Minnesota with a heaping side dish of controversy.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”971044″ player=”26279″ title=”WATCH%204%20Adam%20Thielen%20trade%20scenarios%20during%20NFL%20offseason” duration=”93″ description=”Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Adam Thielen could be on the move here soon. With Minnesota in salary cap hell, first-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is attempting to walk a tight rope.Reportedly, that could include selling off veterans such as Thielen in salary dumps — acquiring very little in return.” uploaddate=”2022-03-11″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/970854_s_1647010335122.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/970854/970854.m3u8″]
On average, Watson earns $39 million per season, the fourth-most in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott.
NFL free agency begins next week, so a Watson deal — to anywhere — is imminent.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
Vikings Territory Also Read: Bears Claim Vikings Surprise Cut