The trade around the Miami Dolphins and Deshaun Watson is apparently becoming more concrete. But will Watson even be allowed to play? How much will the trade cost? Is a third team involved? We answer the most important questions.

Munich – Allegedly, the trade of Deshaun Watson to the Miami Dolphins will be finalised this week. The Houston Texans quarterback is expected to find a new home by November 2 at the latest.

It is questionable whether Watson will be allowed to play at all and be of any help this season. The trade details and the future of Tua Tagovailoa are also still unclear. We answer the most important questions.

Deshaun Watson to Miami Dolphins: What exactly is being reported specifically?

As reported by the Houston Chronicle, among others, a trade is possible by the end of the week. The franchises are currently negotiating, and the deal should be in place by the trade deadline on November 2 at the latest.

General managers Nick Caserio (Texans) and Chris Grier (Dolphins) have been in contact for months, and Caserio and Miami head coach Brian Flores know each other from their days with the New England Patriots. Flores is said to be a big fan of Watson.

There is a “no-trade clause” built into the former Texans franchise player’s contract. So Watson has to agree to a trade. He has reportedly turned down several trades, but would agree to a move to Miami, according to the report.

Other sources have not yet picked up on the rumour. There is no further information from the well-informed “NFL Network”, “ESPN” or the “Miami Herald” as of Thursday.

Trade for Deshaun Watson: What are the Houston Texans asking for in return?

Over the past few months, there have been repeated reports about Caserio and company’s high asking price. From four first-round picks to a package of six players including picks, some scenarios have already been mentioned. This was always too much for the interested parties, the situation around Watson – with all his class – was still too unclear.

The Houston Chronicle now writes of three first-round picks and two second-round picks. Whether Caserio has downgraded his claim again as of Wednesday, however, is unclear.

Deshaun Watson: What’s the current status?

More than 22 civil sexual harassment lawsuits have been filed against Deshaun Watson. Both authorities and the NFL are investigating the case. It is reportedly highly unlikely that the investigations will be completed by the trade deadline. So there will probably be no clarity by then either.

A grand jury will decide whether Watson will be formally indicted or not. Attorney Rusty Hardin is convinced that Watson is being blackmailed and is not the perpetrator of a crime. They are already in talks with the FBI and want to cooperate with the NFL afterwards.

The events surrounding the case can be read in detail in our chronicle.

Deshaun Watson: Is the quarterback even allowed to play?

Deshaun Watson has yet to play in a game this season. The quarterback wanted to leave the Houston Texans before the lawsuits were filed and force a trade. However, due to the allegations, all parties were thwarted.

Since Watson himself no longer wanted to play for the Texans and the franchise is also planning without him, the NFL has so far spared itself an official penalty. As long as Watson doesn’t want to take the field, the league will wait to see what the official investigation reveals.

However, if the playmaker is traded to Miami before the investigation is complete and if he plans to play then, a reaction from the NFL can be strongly expected.

While it’s possible the league still won’t issue a penalty, Commissioner Roger Goodell has the option of placing Watson on what’s known as the commissioners exempt list. The player is thus barred from all activities of his team. This circumstance applies until the commissioner takes the player off the list again.

Miami Dolphins want Deshaun Watson: What happens to Tua Tagovailoa?

As for the future of Tua Tagovailoa, several interested parties are being traded. The Dolphins holding on to the fifth pick of the 2020 draft is unlikely. Instead, it would likely come down to a trade.

The Houston Texans would be the most obvious franchise in the wake of the Watson deal, so they lack a quarterback after all. But whether they are convinced by Tua is unclear.

After all, the young signal-caller hasn’t arrived at the level they want, still looks very unsure of himself at times. More than a year after the draft, Grier and Co. will be upset not to have selected Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

In recent rumours, the Washington Football Team was also traded as a possible buyer for Tua, but the “Washington Post” refers to sources from franchise crises and reports that there is no interest and no talks are being held with Miami and Houston.

Also traded were the Denver Broncos. According to Broncos local reporter Mike Klis, however, there is just as little to it. A successful NFL future for Tua Tagovailoa is not set in stone two years after the big college hype surrounding him.