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Teams showing no 'urgency' to trade for Deshaun Watson?
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Teams showing no 'urgency' to trade for Texans' Deshaun Watson

General manager Chris Grier seemingly took the Miami Dolphins out of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes when he announced on Wednesday "the door is shut" on potentially trading for the Houston Texans star quarterback who is still facing 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints. 

It was reported last week that "multiple teams" were willing to trade for Watson if his "criminal situation is resolved" this spring even if the civil cases are still ongoing. However, The Athletic's Jeff Howe noted Thursday would-be buyers are in no hurry to risk losing assets for the 26-year-old. 

Howe reports the Texans previously asked for a package including three first-round picks and up to seven total assets for Watson but also that clubs "haven’t shown any urgency to pursue a trade this offseason while his legal situation is still up in the air." 

As Patrik Walker of CBS Sports and others have explained, Watson's contract carries a no-trade clause and allows him to reject a move to a team that may not be a quarterback away from competing for a Super Bowl over the next 11 months. The situation is also complicated by the fact it's still unknown if the NFL will make Watson unavailable for part of next season via a suspension or placement on the commissioner's exempt list. 

Also on Thursday, the Cleveland Browns reportedly committed to having Baker Mayfield return as their starter for the 2022 campaign, which, theoretically, takes them off the list of possible future homes for Watson. 

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