4 critical observations from Deshaun Watson spurning the Panthers
By Dean Jones
Money won’t fix the Carolina Panthers
Money isn’t everything. It sure does help a lot, but NFL players at the elite end are going to get paid regardless and in Deshaun Watson’s case, this talent also got him a no-trade clause that became a major hurdle that the Carolina Panthers could not overcome.
David Tepper is a man that normally gets what he wants. He’s made his intentions more than clear regarding Watson and was supposedly willing to do whatever it takes to get the player on board.
In the end, they fell behind NFC South rivals. Not guaranteeing Watson’s third and fourth year of a bumper contract was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Of course, there has been a slight problem with Watson’s knee that played a part. But the Panthers were obviously willing to part ways with multiple first-round picks and some talented young defensive players to make this deal happen.
Not to mention they triggered Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option before he’d participated in a single practice, but couldn’t do the same for a top-five player at the position?
It makes no sense.
Tepper has accumulated vast wealth and has been hugely successful in business. However, this counts for nothing in the NFL and the sooner he realizes that money alone cannot fix the Panthers’ problems, the better their long-term aspirations will be.