Watson could be a franchise changer for Saints

If you are the New Orleans Saints, it is potentially a franchise changing moment.

You have a chance to acquire a 26-year-old quarterback, who in the 2020 season, put up gaudy numbers.

A 70.2 pass completion percentage, an average of 8.9 yards per attempt, 33 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions, all say one thing: elite.

Deshaun Watson is elite.

And, if he is your quarterback, you are a Super Bowl contender.

The NFL calculus on quarterbacks changed in the last two seasons.

The value on the position was already high.

Now, it is astronomical.

Tom Brady goes to the Bucs, a perennial loser, and they win a Super Bowl in the first year.

Matt Stafford goes from a perennial loser, the Lions, to the Rams, and they win the Super Bowl.

So, the Saints asked themselves the question: Do we like our quarterback play last year, and want another year of that? Or, do we want door No. 2?

Door No. 2 it is.

So, even if it costs the Saints three first-round picks and a quality veteran player, you have to make the deal for Deshaun Watson.

He’s a franchise changer.

As for Watson’s considerable baggage, and the fact that many don’t like it, I get it.

The Saints’ starting quarterback from a year ago had some serious baggage in his young life. But, Jameis Winston appeared to change, dramatically.

Good for him. This is a world of second chances.

And, if the NFL suspends Deshaun Watson for six or eight games, well, so be it. The Saints make do until he gets back.

The potential acquisition is a long-term play by the Saints. And, a good business decision.

If the Saints are suddenly mired as a .500 club or worse, the business suffers. If they are a Super Bowl contender, well you can crank up that waiting list for Saints season tickets.

In 2006, the Saints changed their franchise forever.

It seems crazy now.

They got a franchise quarterback without mortgaging the farm.

This time, they are ready to mortgage the farm.

And, you can’t blame them.

The Saints still have a quality young nucleus. With the right quarterback, they are a serious threat.

Without one, they are just pretty good. And, perhaps stuck in that marginal abyss for awhile.

And, no one on Airline Drive wants to be there. The Saints pursuit of Deshaun Watson has told you that.