4 hidden benefits to the Panthers landing Deshaun Watson
By Dean Jones
What are the hidden benefits for the Carolina Panthers if they managed to pull off a bombshell trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson?
Trading for Deshaun Watson would be a bombshell move for the Carolina Panthers and one that could springboard them back into playoff contention at the earliest possible opportunity. It is going to take a king’s ransom and more to get any deal done and the Houston Texans don’t seem too keen on letting their franchise player leave. But the former first-round pick has clearly decided that the organization isn’t heading in the right direction and a fresh start is needed.
General manager Scott Fitterer stated they will be in on every deal in a bid to get the team back to a level that is competitive enough to enter the postseason discussion. Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network claimed that Carolina is going to be aggressive in its quest to acquire Watson, with another report this week outlining the player’s interest in possibly returning to an area where he starred at Clemson.
Carolina Panthers face a fight for Deshaun Watson.
Even with all this, it’s going to be immensely difficult to get Watson.
Plenty of other teams have more to offer in the way of high-end 2021 NFL Draft capital and Carolina will not only have to get creative regarding an enticing package. But it might also need a couple of their more talented players to sweeten the deal.
Considering how the Texans approached this topic during head coach David Culley’s introductory press conference on Friday, Watson might be in for a fight in the coming weeks to secure his move away – which Shannon Sharpe claimed on Undisputed that the player is ready for, according to a source.
It’s been a rough couple of years for Houston sports fans with James Harden and the Astros scandal. So losing Watson would be the icing on a very bitter cake.
However, if the Panthers managed to land the player, it would be the biggest statement of intent and one that could shift the NFC South landscape in their favor.
Speaking of this, here are four hidden benefits that would come Carolina’s way if they managed to pull off as trade for Watson.
Hidden Benefit No. 1
Commercial revenue
In addition to the Carolina Panthers getting some improved production on the field, the benefits of Deshaun Watson joining the franchise would be substantial off it.
Shirt sales would go through the roof with Carolina’s fanbase looking to get their hands on a No. 4 jerseys. Given how popular the player is, it might also see a boost in sales from fairweather fans across the globe.
This would be worth its weight in gold. It’s unlikely that the Panthers coaching staff or Scott Fitterer is going to care too much about this benefit. But owner David Tepper will see the dollar signs already and has a made no secret of his desire for the team to get themselves a better solution under center before the 2021 season begins.