5 quarterback options for SF 49ers in wake of Matt Stafford trade

SF 49ers Option No. 3: Deshaun Watson

The Houston Texans have repeatedly said they don’t want to move their star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, this offseason despite his own requests for a trade.

But if the situation between Watson and the Texans gets untenable, Houston has to be jumping with joy the Rams dished out two first-round picks, a third-round selection and their starting quarterback, Jared Goff, in a deal to Detroit for Matthew Stafford.

If that’s what Stafford can command at this stage of his career, one can’t help but think what a would-be deal for Watson would involve.

Forget any mock trades the SF 49ers could have made for Watson. They’re all off the table now with the market reset in the wake of the Rams’ blockbuster move for Stafford. Any deal is going to involve likely no less than three first-round draft picks, a multitude of day-two selections and probably some high-profile players, too. While Jimmy Garoppolo could be included in one of those moves, provided he waives his no-trade clause, the Niners would have to give up oh-so much more to even get the conversations with Houston started.

Any deal now might be far too expensive for San Francisco’s liking and comfort level.

But with a talent as big as Watson, the SF 49ers at least have to weigh the possibility and see if landing a true franchise-elite quarterback would be worth the massive offseason investment.