5 factors that could see the Panthers go back for Deshaun Watson in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper wants a franchise QB
Team owner David Tepper has not had much to shout about since purchasing the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson. The billionaire deserves a great deal of credit for making some ambitious plans off the field for the organization to become an industry leader, even if that hasn’t resulted in any postseason action during his tenure as yet.
It was no secret that Tepper was leading the pursuit of Deshaun Watson this offseason. He even led the team doing due diligence on the player before they finally pulled the trigger on Sam Darnold.
Whether it was Tepper that forced the Panthers to make another inquiry for Watson before the deadline is up for debate. But any trade of this magnitude will need to be signed off by the top man.
Men like Tepper don’t acquire such vast wealth by caring about what other people think.
There might be a backlash to any potential trade for Watson regardless of how his legal matters conclude in the coming months. But all that matters at the end of the day are wins, increased media exposure, and generating significant income.
Tepper doesn’t appear interested in developing a promising college quarterback. If he was, the pick would have been Justin Fields rather than trading for Darnold.
A big name – a franchise quarterback – is what Tepper craves. And he clearly has a genuine belief Watson is the man.