Could Deshaun Watson Be Traded to the Carolina Panthers?
In old news, Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson would like to be traded to another NFL team. But despite this, the Texans organization has professed that they are not interested in moving the QB.
Sources: Houston Texans insist to other teams that they won’t trade Deshaun Watson. https://t.co/NyaZBms1jv
— Andrew Hazard (@AndrewOHazard) February 10, 2021
Whatever the case, it appears that the two parties are set up for a good ol’ fashioned stand-off. Usually when that happens, one side tends to give in. In this scenario with the Texans and Watson, the quarterback has a lot of the leverage.
Now don’t get me wrong, it isn’t like Houston has no leverage themselves. But at the same time, Watson has already gotten enough guaranteed money for him to be set for life. I mean, when Watson signed his extension with the team last fall, he was given a guaranteed amount of over $110,000,000. So although Houston can fine him and recoup some of his contract, they still have to pay the former Clemson Tiger a lot of dough.
If Watson does decide to sit out and get fined, the Texans can’t really do much. That is why there is pressure on Houston to trade Watson and actually gain some capital. They have a player that won’t play for them that they still have to pay regardless of if he plays or not.
It has become a safe assumption that Watson is the one that will win the standoff between himself and the team. But what city could the superstar be moved to?
There are plenty of quarterback needy teams that could go all in and get him. Teams like the New York Jets, for example, have a ton of cap space and plenty of draft capital to trade for and take on Watson’s contract.
Still, there is one team that is not being talked enough in terms of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. That Team? The Carolina Panthers.
According to Panthers beat reporter and ESPN insider @DNewtonespn, the Panthers are preparing to make a strong push for Deshaun Watson and “will do whatever it takes to get Deshaun Watson, and that includes giving up three first-round draft picks and Christian McCaffrey.” 👀
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge_FF) February 16, 2021
The Panthers seem like a natural fit for Watson. Despite the fact that teams like the Jets and San Francisco 49ers have been generating all the buzz, Carolina is a great landing spot for Watson. Like Mr. Kluge mentions in his tweet above, Carolina would be willing to move three first-rounders as well as all world running back Christian McCaffrey. I don’t know if the Texans would want another hefty contract at running back, but three-first rounders is a good place to start trade talks.
And if I’m the Panthers, why wouldn’t I go all in for Watson? He is a top-five quarterback in the NFL at 26-years-old. You would be able to pair him up with the likes of D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. And if Carolina was able to retain McCaffrey in a potential trade, an offense with those pieces could put up a lot of points.
In addition, head coach Matt Rhule has built what seems like a culture down in Carolina. That is something the Texans haven’t been able to give Watson. Stability and structure with the Panthers could do wonders for Watson. And if he ended in a structured setting with guys like Anderson McCaffrey and Moore? The NFL would be put on notice.
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– Jarrod Ribaudo (@jarrod_ribaudo on Twitter)
Featured image courtesy of Twitter / @PFF