Deshaun Watson Trade Rumors: Broncos Will Pursue QB If Texans Make Him Available

The Denver Broncos plan to go after Deshaun Watson should the Houston Texans make their star quarterback available in a trade, according to Denver7's Troy Renck.

Renck added the Broncos don't see Philadelphia Eagles signal-caller Carson Wentz as a target.

Drew Lock isn't a lost cause already, but the 2019 second-round pick struggled in 2020. He finished with 2,933 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and an NFL-high 15 interceptions.

That Denver would pursue a trade for Watson and not Wentz seems to indicate the front office isn't looking to swap Lock out for the sake of change. But the team might be casting a wider net at quarterback.

Dan Patrick reported on his radio show the Broncos were willing to include Lock and the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft for Matthew Stafford. Stafford instead went to the Los Angeles Rams.

For different reasons, a trade for Watson may be similarly difficult to execute.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Jan. 28 the three-time Pro Bowler requested a move weeks earlier and that the hiring of David Culley as head coach didn't change his mind. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Feb. 3 that Houston was effectively giving the teams the cold shoulder:

Exploring a Watson trade is a no-brainer for the Broncos, who haven't had a true franchise quarterback since John Elway retired in 1999. The four-year interlude with Peyton Manning helped the franchise win a Super Bowl but was only a short-term solution.

Watson turned 25 in September and he's signed through the 2025 season. Any team that lands him could be set at quarterback for a decade.

As long as the Texans remain steadfast, he won't be going anywhere this offseason.