Why Deshaun Watson snub will benefit the Carolina Panthers

Deshaun Watson snubbing the Carolina Panthers might actually be a good thing in the long run despite their year-long pursuit of the quarterback.

A two-year pursuit of Houston Texans star quarterback Deshaun Watson came to an end this week after the 26-year-old told the Carolina Panthers they are not a team he wants to be traded to.

The Panthers and owner David Tepper had been the only team to truly have full interest in Watson since the moment he demanded to be traded over a year ago. Even during his legal troubles with more than 20 women accusing him of sexual assault, the billionaire didn’t budge, which makes the Clemson product spurning his advances that much tougher of a pill to swallow.

The snub puts Carolina into a bit of a panic mode with having to search for a Plan B since Sam Darnold is obviously not the answer. But at the end of the day, not trading for Watson will end up being one of the best things to happen for the franchise.

There is no denying that Watson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when playing. But the Panthers would have to give up a lot to acquire him and considering the financial ramifications of his sensational decision to join the Cleveland Browns, staying away was probably wise.

Trading for Deshaun Watson would have created more roster holes for the Carolina Panthers

Carolina undoubtedly would have had to give up at least three first-round picks, which cripples any draft opportunities in the future. Throw in some defensive players such as Brian Burns, Jeremy Chinn, Derrick Brown, or Jaycee Horn, and the complications were there for all to see.

If the Panthers made the trade, yes they would have finally got a franchise signal-caller for the first time since prime Cam Newton, but the defense would suffer. There are still holes to fill and all the cap space they’ve managed to gain or save this offseason would dissipate.

Even if Carolina got Watson, they still wouldn’t be title contenders unless a lot more additions were made. It’s that simple, really.

But at least he won’t be in the NFC South, which looked to be the case until the 11th hour when Watson opted to join the Browns.

It’s not impossible, but with the ability to draft a potential franchise prospect or build the team properly and then trade or sign a veteran, other avenues can be a lot more appealing than blowing up the team for one guy.

With Tom Brady returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Panthers’ window to compete still isn’t fully open in the division and without Watson, they hopefully now realize patiently building before is more beneficial than the rash decisions that have blighted the Matt Rhule era so far.

In addition, Watson’s acquisition seemingly would have divided the fanbase. Even though he wasn’t criminally charged, he still has more than 20 civil cases in court with allegations against him and just a few years after founder Jerry Richardson was forced to sell the team due to mistreatment of women, bringing in the former first-round pick would’ve seemed hypocritical.

Tepper and the Panthers have now been denied by Watson, Russell Wilson, and Matthew Stafford the past two years and for a new owner, that’s a big pride hit. However, you’d have to hope that this rejection makes him take a bit of a step back and let the team build organically.

A foundation is key. Trading for Watson would have rubbed many the wrong way.

Yes, Carolina’s front office can still screw up. But this is a harsh lesson they can hopefully learn from, too.

It’s definitely frustrating for fans to now know they have to wait another few years to finally find that franchise quarterback and compete. But this will end up being in the best interest of the Panthers when they do finally rebuild a consistent winner.