For whatever reason, some of the Houston Texans’ biggest stars from recent memory have ended up on the Arizona Cardinals.
First, Bill O’Brien sent star wide receiver Deandre Hopkins to the Cardinals in what might have been the worst trade of the decade. In exchange for giving second-year quarterback Kyler Murray their three-time All-Pro wideout, Houston received just a second-round pick and the remnants of former star running back David Johnson. The trade has since been panned as the beginning of the end for Houston. They haven’t won more than four games in a season since Hopkins’ departure.
Next, J.J. Watt was released in a “good faith” move by first year general manager Nick Caserio. The rebuilding Texans wanted to give Watt an opportunity to chase a ring before his career ended and many speculated the University of Wisconsin graduate might choose Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Instead, Watt shocked the world. The five-time All-Pro chose the Cardinals, despite having recently finished only third in the NFC West.
Watt cited multiple reasons, including the Phoenix weather and a full-scale recruitment from former teammate Hopkins. Another reason? The development of Kyler Murray, who had shown promise in the previous season with Hopkins.
JJ Watt says having Kyler Murray under center was a big reason why he picked the Cardinals.
https://t.co/Rxyr55AEA2 pic.twitter.com/VVHOSM6mBS
— theScore (@theScore) March 3, 2021
Needless to say, the future of the Arizona organization and their public perception circled around Murray. From acquiring Hopkins to recruiting a hall of fame caliber player like Watt.
Suddenly, that appears in jeopardy — if Instagram followings are any kind of canary in the coal mine.
This week Murray scrubbed his social media of any reference to the Arizona Cardinals. He left only pictures from his time at Oklahoma and one from the Pro Bowl with Mike Evans. This has left many around the league to speculate whether Murray is available to trade for or if he’s simply bargaining for an early extension.
In the incredibly unlikely, demonstrably preposterous situation that Arizona is entertaining moving Murray, Houston should inquire. A swap for disgruntled quarterback Deshaun Watson would make all the sense in the world for Houston as the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain endorsed on “Payne & Pendergast” on Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] Wednesday.
Murray would provide Houston immediately with an elite, young signal caller to guide the franchise and his new contract would likely align in the same range as the Watson salary they’ll be trading away. Murray grew up in Dallas where he was high school football’s Mr. Texas and played college football at both Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
Rebuilds are difficult in the NFL but they can be rapidly accelerated once you find the right quarterback, just look at the emergence of the Cincinnati Bengals with Joe Burrow. Meanwhile, Watson would get to reunite with Deandre Hopkins and escape a situation in Houston that is all but toxic at this point.
The accessory pieces would certainly be interesting but Caserio, with an elite quarterback of his own to move, should inquire about the potential acquisition of another should he become available.