The NFL trade deadline passed at 4 p.m. EST Tuesday afternoon, and while there were several notable trades around the league, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was not among the players dealt. The Miami Dolphins were rumored to have interest in acquiring the 26-year-old former first-round draft pick, who has not played this season amid 22 women suing him for sexual misconduct. Watson is a 3x Pro Bowler and during his time at Clemson, led the Tigers to a national championship in 2016.
On Wednesday morning, In The Loop on SportsRadio 610 in Houston, Texas reacted to the thoughts of other sports radio hosts on Watson remaining a member of the Houston Texans, honing in on a particularly-animated scene on Carton and Roberts in New York.
“They’re arguing about Deshaun Watson in other cities now, and it is causing friction in the most chaotic media scenes there are,” said Landry Locker, co-host of the morning drive program. “If you think things are uneasy around here, this is what’s going on elsewhere at possible Deshaun Watson destinations after the trade deadline came and went.”
To recap the situation, Craig Carton and Evan Roberts began a debate on their show yesterday as to which quarterback would be a better long-term fit for the New York Football Giants: Watson, or “Mr. Unlimited” Russell Wilson. Carton believed Watson would be the best option for the Giants, who enter Week 9 with a 2-6 record on the season and have not made the playoffs since the 2016 season. Conversely, Roberts believed the 32-year-old Wilson, who has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and won the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, would be the better fit for the team. To break the tie, the show asked its Associate Producer, Chris McMonigle, to give his opinion, and, needless to say, his answer caused an uproar in the Big Apple.
“Russell Wilson,” said McMonigle.
“You’re disgusting,” said Carton. “Go home for the rest of the day — honestly. I’d like you to get up, go home and rethink your position on this show sir… Pack up your stuff! Pack it up.”
WFAN’s social media team filmed McMonigle as he left the station’s downtown studios, capturing his on-street reaction for all to see via social media.
“He gave me the boot,” said an indignant McMonigle. “[I] can’t even have an opinion around here — This guy’s a tyrant. And I’m tired of it. [The] joke’s on him — you think I want to stay there? I’ll see you tomorrow when I’ll still think Russell Wilson is the better quarterback.”
Landry Locker was surprised at Carton’s autocratic demeanor pertaining to this topic, and reminded listeners of Carton’s past experiences and how they may have contributed to his opinion.
“They followed him out of the studio — this is what’s happening in New York,” said Landry. “And you’re telling me that you wanted to trade Deshaun Watson yesterday to the effing Miami Dolphins without New York even [being] in the mix? This is a guy who is a sexual survivor; [Craig Carton] was molested as a kid.. You can see the documentary on HBO. He wants Deshaun Watson in New York. He kicked a guy off the show.”
As for the situation on the gridiron, In The Loop co-host John P. Lopez wishes that Watson’s talent could be displayed again for fans of the National Football League to enjoy on a weekly basis.
“It’s an absolute waste of a supreme talent in the prime of his career,” said Lopez. “It’s sad that we are missing out on this for an entire year. You know you’d love to have seen Deshaun Watson on a football field.”
