3 things that have helped Deshaun Watson trade become more realistic

1. Ron Rivera seems open to the idea

While Hurts shining and Flores leaving only increase Washington’s chances of acquiring Watson, those stories are irrelevant if the franchise itself isn’t interested.

Regardless of where you stand on the matter, Rivera told the media this week that Washington will do its due-diligence.

"“We most certainly will do our due diligence,” Rivera said about Watson. “That’s the thing that we have to do more so than anything else is really take a look at all those situations, circumstances and really kind of go through the process.” “Obviously, we’d have to find out what the league has going on and saying with things and situations like that. It’d be no different than any other position that we’ve gone with. We’ll go through a very diligent process.”"

Hard to be more candid than that.

If Watson is cleared of his allegations, Rivera’s comments sure make it seem like Washington will be involved in the sweepstakes. Where the three-time Pro Bowler sits on the club’s shopping list remains to be seen, but quotes like this prove Rivera understands the emphasis behind finding a franchise QB.

If Watson’s name is cleared, Washington could be in the running.