Trade activity surrounding Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is set to heat up this weekend. What could the Carolina Panthers offer?
The Carolina Panthers have been watching the situation regarding Deshaun Watson extremely closely. They were willing to go all-in for the quarterback before some serious legal issues surfaced, but the recent Grand Jury ruling that went in the player’s favor could now see the organization make another bold bid to land the former first-round pick.
To say this has fractured the team’s fanbase would be something of an understatement. Watson’s reputation has been tarnished by these sexual assault allegations and even though he still has civil suits and a potential NFL suspension to navigate, the Panthers and others across the league are now expected to make their move.
There is no denying Watson’s talent. Very few players at the position can do what he can and outside of perhaps three of four teams, he represents an upgrade on their current options.
However, what it’s going to cost to land the player cannot be overlooked no matter how much team owner David Tepper has his sights set on the Clemson product.
Carolina cannot go on the way they are under center. Sam Darnold’s acquisition from the New York Jets has them back to square one after he simply couldn’t turn things around, but whether the Panthers can move him and his fully guaranteed $18.85 million contract is the big question.
This is a fluid situation that will come to a resolution quickly. Here are three bombshell trades the Panthers can put together to land Watson.
Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 1
Franchise quarterbacks do not become available on the trade market too often. In Deshaun Watson’s case, this is a player that is just 26 years old and has his best football ahead of him despite the extra baggage now attached.
This is why the Houston Texans have not budged on their asking price. And considering what the Denver Broncos paid for Russell Wilson, it will only help Nick Caserio get a premium haul for a player that clearly isn’t part of their long-term plans.
Any deal proposed by the Carolina Panthers or anybody else will include three first-round picks. This might sound like a lot, but the Los Angeles Rams are proof positive of how much an elite quarterback can compensate for a lack of draft capital.
Not only will the Panthers have to sacrifice some high-end selections, but multiple reports suggest some defensive talent will also be thrown in for good measure. Carolina is blessed with some outstanding playmakers on rookie deals, so those in power might be able to sweeten their pot and leave the ball in Watson’s court regarding a no-trade clause.
Derrick Brown and Brian Burns are two first-round selections that will come into the conversation. Although it would be a huge loss to the Panthers defensive front, it’s a sacrifice David Tepper will pressure the team to make.
Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 2
Again, this might not be to everybody’s taste and it would certainly make things weaker on the defensive side of things, but the Carolina Panthers are going to make sacrifices in pursuit of acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.
Now that Watson has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, Houston has the leverage once again. Obviously, the three first-round picks look like a guarantee and the floor for any team looking to secure Watson’s services, but the prospect of some defensive talent cannot be ruled out either.
The Panthers might include two stud defensive backs in Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn, who are going to be stars. But considering both Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson could depart in free agency, adding the former No. 8 overall selection to the deal would leave Carolina dangerously short in the secondary.
Matt Rhule and other front office personnel have done a good job of bringing in some top defenders via the draft, so to blow it all up in the hope Watson waives his no-trade clause is a monumental call to make.
However, team owner David Tepper is adamant that Watson is the man that can get Carolina to the promised land and if he becomes the most influential figure in this decision, no player is seemingly off-limits.
This trade would not go down well given how beloved Chinn and Horn are with fans. But this is the nature of the business, unfortunately.
Carolina Panthers trade offer No. 3
Trading for Deshaun Watson is going to cost. This is something fans are going to have to accept and if the Carolina Panthers do end up landing the signal-caller, then some popular members of the roster will be sacrificed.
That’s the long and short of it, really.
However, if the Panthers can also convince the Houston Texans to take on Sam Darnold’s lucrative contract – or at least part of it – then it would help their cause enormously. Whether Nick Caserio will play ball with Davis Mills manning the plate is another matter entirely.
Perhaps this might cost the Panthers another top-end draft selection to include Darnold as part of the trade. It’s a fine mess that Carolina made themselves by thinking they could be the franchise that finally gets the USC product trending in the right direction.
Obviously, the reporting indicating that the Texans are hugely keen on Brian Burns cannot be overlooked, either. The defensive end made his first Pro Bowl in 2021 after attaining nine sacks, but good pass-rushers are easier to find than elite quarterbacks when it’s all said and done.
We are in the end game now where Watson’s future is concerned.
Morality often goes out of the window when teams examine what it takes to win. Although going for broke is going to come with a fair amount of bad publicity, all David Tepper cares about is finally having a winning season – something that’s eluded the billionaire so far.