What next for Panthers after Deshaun Watson requests trade?
By Dean Jones
What now for the Carolina Panthers after star quarterback Deshaun Watson finally bit the bullet and requested a trade from the Hotson Texans?
The blue touch paper has officially been lit.
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, Deshaun Watson has formally requested a trade from the Houston Texans after voicing his displeasure with the way owner Cal McNair is handling team affairs. The appointment of new head coach David Culley has done nothing to change the quarterback’s mind, leaving the Carolina Panthers and most other organizations on red alert with a view to possibly pulling off a bombshell trade.
This situation is sure to develop at a rapid pace. So the Panthers need to act quickly if they want to stand a solid chance of bringing the signal-caller to Carolina.
This is something general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule will have discussed already, with quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan also sure to have voiced an opinion after working with Watson previously – building up a close relationship with the former first-round pick in the process.
How could the Carolina Panthers get Deshaun Watson?
Wanting Watson is one thing.
But getting the right sort of package in place is another matter entirely.
Again, the Panthers will have talked about which pieces to offer, which will include talented players and high-end NFL Draft picks over the next couple of years. Even though the chances of Houston accepting anything less than a king’s ransom for their franchise player are remote, Carolina would regret not taking a shot at a proven, elite quarterback who has barely entered his prime.
There is just no telling what acquiring Watson would do for the Panthers. His ties to the region after starring at Clemson make this a mouth-watering prospect and according to a recent report, the player is open to joining Carolina if terms can be agreed.
The calls to get someone better than Teddy Bridgewater from media and fans has been deafening since competitive action came to a conclusion. Carolina’s leading personnel are currently coaching and scouting at the 2021 Senior Bowl, but getting together for an emergency meeting of sorts to finalize a plan following these latest developments. would be wise.
They’ll have to get creative.
But with high risk, comes high reward in this scenario.
There is also the influence of owner David Tepper to consider. The team owner has made no secret of his desire to bring in a game-changing quarterback who can steer the Panthers into Super Bowl contention and trading for Watson would do an unbelievable amount of good to the Carolina brand, which the billionaire is also trying to build up.
It’s going to be a dramatic few weeks before Watson’s future is resolved. Almost every other team in the league apart from the Kansas City Chiefs will be monitoring this situation closely, which could see a hoard of offers coming Houston’s way for Watson in the not-too-distant future.
Carolina was the No. 2 destination for Watson by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, which has raised expectations to fever-pitch. So strap yourselves in and get ready for what could potentially be a franchise-altering move if it comes off.