4 QBs that could be available for the Panthers in Deshaun Watson fallout
By Dean Jones
Which quarterbacks could be available in the immediate fallout of Deshaun Watson’s impending trade if he doesn’t join the Carolina Panthers?
With less than a week until the 2021 trade deadline, it won’t be much longer before the Deshaun Watson saga comes to a conclusion one way or another. There are a few suitors for the Houston Texans quarterback in the face of some legal issues that won’t be resolved for some time, with the Carolina Panthers reportedly throwing their hat in the ring after a disastrous performance from Sam Darnold at the New York Giants.
It’s clear that Darnold is not the answer. The same problems that blighted his time with the New York Jets have reared their head in a different environment, which clearly aren’t getting better despite thorough coaching from the likes of Sean Ryan.
The Panthers have kept a close eye on Watson for some time and were willing to go all-in on the quarterback before things took an unexpected turn. However, should Carolina miss out on the former Clemson star, there could be an opportunity elsewhere should they choose.
With this in mind, here are four quarterbacks who could be available in the immediate fallout of Watson’s trade.
Quarterback No. 1
Drew Lock
This isn’t who the Panthers should go after. Let’s get that straight before we delve a little deeper into Drew Lock.
The Denver Broncos had high hopes for Lock entering the 2020 season. His production didn’t live up to this and it forced the team to go in a different direction when they traded for Teddy Bridgewater – who flattered to deceive for Carolina and was shipped out after just one season.
If the Broncos end up going for Deshaun Watson, then Lock and Bridgewater would both be surplus to requirements. However, the last thing this organization needs is another gamble on turning around a struggling signal-caller after what they’ve endured with Sam Darnold of late.