South Fulton Today

The Atlanta Falcons have joined the push for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, a recent report on ESPN said.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday, sharing a video discussing the timeline for Watson's trade. He commented that Watson has yet to meet with the Falcons but will waive his no-trade clause to the team of his choice after meeting with all teams to work out his next deal.

"Deshaun Watson will meet with the #Falcons today, so let's take a look at what's next," Rapoport said in his tweet.

The Falcon's push for Watson comes as the team recently restructured veteran quarterback Matt Ryan's contract, reducing his salary cap hit this season by more than $12 million. Though the team has remained committed to Ryan, ESPN reported that team owner Arthur Blank has had discussions about eventually finding the quarterback's successor and "resetting the franchise's future."

"All options are open, but it's not going to be easy," a Falcons source told ESPN.

With the potential for Ryan's trade freeing up $8.75 million in salary-cap space, securing Watson could lead to the current quarterback's departure. 

Among contenders currently in pursuit of Watson include the Carolina Panthers, the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints, ESPN reported. While one source told the news organization the Falcons are a "long shot" to land the Texans' quarterback, an in-person meeting may give the team an opportunity to persuade him further. At the time of the report, Watson had already met with other teams and was reportedly impressed with the Panthers, Saints and Browns. 

The news of his trade comes as Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions, though a grand jury in Texas recently declined to pursue criminal charges, the report stated. These, alongside an offseason request to be traded, resulted in Watson sitting out all of last season.