3 Deshaun Watson trade packages involving Christian McCaffrey
By Dean Jones
Deshaun Watson package No. 3: Moving Teddy Bridgewater
The Carolina Panthers almost got Teddy Bridgewater off the books when they tried to secure the services of Matthew Stafford. But the Los Angeles Rams came in with a better offer that left the organization back to square one when it comes to finding a replacement for the former Louisville standout.
Bridgewater enjoyed mixed success under center in 2020, which wasn’t exactly a surprise considering he hadn’t been a prominent starter since 2015. Giving the player a three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed wasn’t the best decision in the world looking back, which leaves them facing the prospect of starting over at the position for the second straight year.
Trading for Deshaun Watson could change the complexion in an instant.
And if the Panthers can somehow convince the Texans to take on Bridgewater, then they’ll be better off for it.
Christian McCaffrey is another outstanding piece to the puzzle, with multiple first-round picks, and even a veteran luke Shaq Thompson added to the package for good measure. The outside linebacker regressed without Luke Kuechly by his side this season but there could be more to come from the Washington product alongside someone like the exceptional Zach Cunningham.
Just how well trading away McCaffrey is going to go down with the Panthers’ fanbase is a hot topic, currently. But acquiring Watson is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could see expectations reach a level not seen since the mid-2010s in Carolina.