Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Texans' Deshaun Watson wanted to join Steelers?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Mar 14, 2022 5:02 PM ET

Insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette raised eyes last week when he tweeted, in all caps, that the Pittsburgh Steelers "ARE NOT" interested in trading for Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson. That, however, was days before Watson learned he wouldn't face criminal charges related to numerous allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

The Steelers nevertheless seemingly took themselves out of the Watson sweepstakes on Monday when they came to terms on what's been reported to be a two-year deal with Buffalo Bills backup Mitchell Trubisky. As Audacy's Alex Reimer explained, retired NFL signal-caller and current VSiN personality Shaun King later tweeted that Watson had "extreme interest" in joining the Steelers:

There was extreme interest on the Watson side to make a deal with Pittsburgh. Obviously the steelers opted for the trubisky option which doesn't require any compensation in return. Time will tell if the organization made the right move.
— shaun king (@realshaunking) March 14, 2022

As I wrote, it was the Watson camp trying to wish that scenario into existence. https://t.co/AXdZMG9bqq Now that I know it's going to be Trubisky instead, I kinda wish they had https://t.co/8BxDUSweca
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) March 14, 2022

https://t.co/PmwXdQqgAk
— shaun king (@realshaunking) March 14, 2022

The Steelers are looking for their new QB1 who will replace retired future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger and currently have Trubisky, career backup Mason Rudolph and 2019 first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins on track to compete for the gig. Watson, who has a no-trade clause in his deal, is, on paper, a better option than the quarterbacks currently on Pittsburgh's roster but could also cost any would-be buyer a package of three first-round draft picks and multiple other assets, specifically players.

Earlier reports from Monday said that Watson turned down a potential move to the Cleveland Browns and is expected to meet with the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday and/or Wednesday:

.@RapSheet just reported Saints & Panthers expected to meet with Deshaun Watson in next day or two. Said both their trade offers include 3 No. 1s.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) March 14, 2022

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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