Will David Tepper have final say in potential Deshaun Watson trade?
By Dean Jones
David Tepper’s influence in Deshaun Watson decision
David Tepper now has his preferred men in key positions within the Carolina Panthers. The firing of Marty Hurney and the appointment of new general manager Scott Fitterer could be the final piece of the jigsaw, providing everybody is on the same page from the word go.
There needs to be a certain element of trust where Tepper is concerned that his football guys in the building will do what’s best to progress the organization.
But if he has to throw his weight around in a bid to land Deshaun Watson, he’ll do it.
After all, Tepper is the man writing the cheques and he’s already invested billions to acquire and progress the Panthers in a short space of time. Watson is an elite player who is only just scratching the surface of his potential, so one doesn’t have to look far at the upside to such a landmark trade.
Giving up so much for one player – even though it is at the more important position on the field – will be a make or break move for Carolina. It would instantly see the Panthers enter the postseason discussion and if they didn’t leave themselves short-changed in other areas, this could make them a real force to be reckoned with.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any NFL team. Houston needs to make a call either way before the 2021 NFL Draft with very few picks to begin their rebuilding phase. And it would be a huge shock if Tepper didn’t ensure the Panthers weren’t the first in line when it comes to shooting their shot for Watson.