Could owner David Tepper throw his weight around in his quest to get Deshaun Watson to the Carolina Panthers this offseason?
The Carolina Panthers are continuing to be linked with a trade for Deshaun Watson. This would be a franchise-altering call from the organization and one that would raise expectations to a level not seen since Cam Newton was in his prime. But there are plenty of hurdles to overcome before this landmark dream is potentially realized.
First, and perhaps most important for now, is the Houston Texans aren’t entertaining the thought despite Watson’s trade request. They are attempting to build bridges with the quarterback – with little success thus far – but their insistence that he won’t be traded at any stage is something that’s making a lot of teams look in a different direction.
Another big problem is the asking price, which is expected to be multiple first-round picks and a couple of talented defensive players thrown in to sweeten the deal. Carolina has plenty of those, but whether they’d be willing to part with the likes of Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, or Jeremy Chinn is highly questionable.
Giving up too much for Watson – no matter how elite he is – would compromise all the good work Matt Rhule’s done during the first year of his rebuild. The head coach and new general manager Scott Fitterer have no doubt discussed the possibility at length and will make what they think is a reasonable offer, at the very least.
However, the influence of David Tepper cannot be understated. The team owner has been bold with his moves since buying the franchise from Jerry Richardson and if the billionaire has any say in the matter, Watson will be on the Panthers next season.
David Tepper’s desire for change
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper has made absolutely no secret of his desire to get a better option under center in 2021. His comments both during and after the 2020 season weren’t exactly singing the praises of Teddy Bridgewater and it would be a huge shock if the former first-round pick was still the No. 1 option by the time training camp and OTAs roll around at this juncture.
Tepper didn’t accumulate his astonishing wealth by waiting for deals to come to him. He has been more patient than many expected in Carolina. But that might not be the case for much longer if he wants Deshaun Watson to come on board.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Tepper is intent on getting a premier signal-caller and sees Watson as the man to take the Panthers up to the next level and into possible contention for a Super Bowl sooner rather than later.
"Tepper is done with the caretaker, band-aid, we’ll see model of quarterback. He’s made it clear to those in the organization, and to his confidants around the NFL, that he wants desperately to upgrade into the penthouse of quarterbacks, believing it to be the most critical element to elevating the team to the heights – both in the standings and financially – that he seeks to soar. And Deshaun Watson, sources said, is far and away his guy. I suspect the Panthers will be willing to get quite creative (including emerging pass-rushing force Brian Burns in any package maybe even more attractive than McCaffrey, though that dual-threat running back could certainly kick start an offensive resurgence for any young QB should the Texans prefer to draft a passer in the event Watson is in fact dealt)."
Whether La Canfora is on the money with this is a moot point, really. Everybody knows that Tepper wants a team competing for honors on the field by the time his ambitious plans to move their headquarters to Rock Hill in South Carolina are complete.
That won’t be the case if the Panthers keep settling for mid-level guys who can only get them so far. Bridgewater is a clear case in point, which makes the decision to give him a three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed even more bizarre.
What’s done is done.
It’s what comes next that is most important and the Panthers cannot be wrong again.
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.
Can the Carolina Panthers afford to wait for Deshaun Watson?
Deshaun Watson's ongoing trade saga could go on a while yet, but can the Carolina Panthers afford to wait around in their pursuit of a new quarterback?
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.