Dolphins owner 'not dealing' with questions about Deshaun Watson

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross 'not dealing' with questions about Deshaun Watson

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/26/21

Seemingly not a week goes by without an insider, analyst, or reporter linking the Miami Dolphins with a potential move for wantaway Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who hasn't taken a meaningful snap for the organization since his offseason trade request. Of course, Watson is still facing 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints, but he remains eligible to play unless he's placed on the commissioner's exempt list or suspended this fall.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and others, reporters attempted to approach Dolphins owner Stephen Ross about his alleged interest in Watson on Tuesday. As one would expect, Ross wisely ducked the questions:

#Dolphins owner Stephen Ross laughed when he saw reporters waiting for him at the league meeting: “I know what it’s about and I’m not dealing with it.” And that was it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2021

As Mike Florio noted for Pro Football Talk, Ross could be hit with a tampering charge if he publicly confirms he's interested in acquiring Watson or any other player currently associated with a different franchise.

As it pertains to Watson and his availability beyond October, NFL insider Josina Anderson suggested his legal issues won't be resolved by the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline:

A league source to me this morning: “There are more teams Deshaun Watson can go to besides Miami. It’s not just Miami or bust.” My understanding is Watson is willing for the most part to go to the teams that are interested in him. 1/2
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 26, 2021

Additionally my understanding is that Watson has not been interested in settlements —up through this point —and that requests for him to sign non-disclosure agreements in order to settle continue to be problematic. 2/2 https://t.co/raU766mL78
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 26, 2021

Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated pointed out Watson theoretically could be placed on the exempt list at any time amid police and league investigations even if he doesn't face criminal charges through the end of the season.

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