Report: ‘Don’t count out’ Panthers in Deshaun Watson sweepstakes
By Dean Jones
NFL Network’s insider Ian Rappaport named the Carolina Panthers as a possible landing spot for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Deshaun Watson‘s time with the Houston Texans might be coming to an end. He has voiced extreme displeasure over the way team owner Cal McNair has handled things in recent weeks, keeping him out of the loop with key personnel decisions and even ignoring his advice regarding potential head-coaching candidates.
The Carolina Panthers would no doubt relish the opportunity to acquire someone like Watson. He is a generational talent that enjoyed a phenomenal 2020 season on a struggling team, but this would involve giving up some substantial NFL Draft capital and possibly some talented players to sweeten the deal.
Landing Watson might be seen as a pipe-dream for some.
But according to one NFL insider, don’t count out the Panthers from making move.
“Don’t dismiss” the Carolina Panthers trading for Deshaun Watson.
Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network told Good Morning Football that Carolina’s pursuit of Watson “shouldn’t be dismissed” and that teams have already begun calling the Texans regarding a potential deal.
He also noted that McNair doesn’t have any plans to move his franchise player at the present time. But ESPN insider Adam Schefter claimed on Sunday evening that there are sources within the organization who state that are convinced Watson has played his last down in Houston.
Even his own teammates are in favor of their signal-caller moving on which is further proof of just what a fractured relationship Watson has with McNair.
From @GMFB: #Texans QB Deshaun Watson has not asked for a trade and the team hasn’t said they’ll trade him… but teams are calling, anyway. The #Jets and #Dolphins have been discussed publicly, but don’t dismiss the #Panthers being in the mix. pic.twitter.com/g09zWZI1iM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2021
Whether the Panthers will be able to put together the sort of package that will tempt Houston is up for debate. They have the No. 8 overall selection, but much more will be needed. Should they choose to go in this particular direction, new general manager Scott Fitterer would be mortgaging Carolina’s future with such a move.
This could be a game-changer.
And Rappaport’s latest report will only heighten the excitement with Carolina’s loyal fanbase.
Watson is an elite player who deserves better than the treatment he’s currently receiving.
This predicament might be past the point of no return for the Texans despite signing the former first-round pick to a lucrative deal last year and although the price would undoubtedly be steep, it has the potential to get the Panthers back into playoff contention.
There are sure to be many twists and turns still to come in this saga. But this latest report will ensure that everyone associated with the Panthers should monitor it closely.