4 critical observations from Deshaun Watson spurning the Panthers

Things could have been worse for the Carolina Panthers

When examining the worst possible outcome to the Carolina Panthers going after Deshaun Watson, joining a divisional rival was right at the top. Aside from all the legal issues that wouldn’t necessarily guarantee a warm welcome for the quarterback, landing on either the New Orleans Saints or Atlanta Falcons would have been nothing short of a disaster.

Watson’s reputation has been tarnished significantly. He’ll now get the chance to redeem himself with the Cleveland Browns, who still coveted the player even after he initially ruled them out of the running.

The Panthers threw the kitchen sink at Watson for more than a year. Even if they eventually decided not to guaranteed multiple years of his contract.

In fairness, David Tepper might not have wanted to become a pawn when Carolina clearly wasn’t Watson’s first choice. But we will never know for sure and that is the most frustrating thing about all this.

There is desperation and urgency in equal measure to Carolina’s evaluation and desire to finally find Cam Newton’s long-term successor – doing all in their power to convince Watson this was a place he could thrive. In the end, it was all for nothing.