Why couldn't we have signed him to a long term deal and then traded him right after? The return would be greater since teams would't have to risk losing him next year if we just traded him while he was on a one year deal right?
Because they won't lose him in 2020 either. His cap number on the franchise tag for year 2 is very reasonable. It is year 3 on the tag that is prohibitive. If they want to trade him, they can do it next offseason. Or, they could sign him.
For one, the Texans would have to pay his entire signing bonus next season. S&T just don’t happen in the NFL. If the Texans want to trade him, you do it like everyone else. Get the picks and let the other team deal with him.