4 reasons the Carolina Panthers can push for NFC South title in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers won’t have Deshaun Watson in the NFC South
Not only did the Carolina Panthers miss out on their year-long pursuit of Deshaun Watson. But it also appeared as if the team would be coming up against him twice a season.
The Houston Texans quarterback was set to join either the New Orleans Saints or Atlanta Falcons before a stunning change of heart saw him select the Cleveland Browns – a bidder that was ruled out even before the Panthers during a frantic week that consumed every last bit of attention.
This is probably the best-case scenario for the Panthers. Especially considering the seedy contract Watson demanded and received from the desperate Browns, who burned all bridges with Baker Mayfield by making their initial move.
Had Watson landed with an NFC South rival, it would have made things extremely difficult for Carolina to progress. Now, it becomes easier even if there are some significant hurdles still to overcome before this team can harbor hopes of winning the division.
Watson will no doubt thrive in Cleveland despite the extra baggage that’s now surrounding the player. He is an elite signal-caller that is among the league’s best, so watching him choose an AFC team was probably met with jubilation in Carolina.
The Panthers have to get their own house in order first, obviously. But they’ve made a solid start regarding this in free agency and with a couple of extra pieces, it might look more promising than originally thought.