Dolphins GM: 'The door is shut on Deshaun'

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier ruled out a potential Deshaun Watson pursuit Wednesday after months of lingering trade speculation.

"The door is shut on Deshaun," Grier told reporters at the NFL combine, according to David Furones of the Miami Sun-Sentinel.

Miami had been linked to Watson for over a year. The star quarterback, who asked the Houston Texans to trade him, was rumored to have the Dolphins atop his list of preferred landing spots.

Watson didn't play in 2021 and is still facing lawsuits from 22 women who say he committed sexual assault or sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Eight of the 22 women filed criminal complaints, and two other women who aren't suing him also filed criminal complaints.

The Dolphins reportedly weighed a Watson acquisition at the 2021 trade deadline but owner Stephen Ross wouldn't sign off on a deal in light of his unsettled legal situation. Ross said at the end of the season the Dolphins' direction at quarterback would be "up to the head coach."

Tua Tagovailoa threw for 2,653 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over 13 games in his first season as a full-time starter. Miami drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020.

Grier offered a lukewarm endorsement of Tagovailoa when asked if the Alabama product can still be an elite quarterback.

"I can't say he can't be," he said, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.