The Deshaun Watson watch has resumed in the Carolinas.
The Houston Texans quarterback requested a trade during the offseason, but nothing happened. It was common knowledge that the Carolina Panthers were interested in having the former Clemson star return to the area. At least until multiple sexual assault allegations came to light against Watson.
Perhaps fearing a public relations backlash, the Panthers backed away from trade talks before trading for Sam Darnold of the New York Jets. A losing streak extended last week along with the benching of Darnold apparently has brought Carolina back into trade talks with the Texans.
If the reports are true, the Panthers obviously are ready to face the backlash of having Watson on the roster in the search for a few wins on the field.
The NFL has yet to levy any kind of discipline against Watson, while the quarterback still hasn’t played a snap in 2021. Instead, Houston stated it does not want him on the field and has made its problem inactive.
Now, with rumors of several teams interested, the Panthers, Dolphins, and Eagles, the Watson trade watch is active once again. Especially with the league’s trade deadline coming up on November 2nd.
Deshaun Watson
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke with the media earlier this week about the Watson case and claimed that the league didn’t have enough information from the ongoing criminal investigation to put him on the commissioner’s exempt list yet. This information heated up trade talks even more. He is basically saying that a team securing Watson’s services could put him on the field immediately.
Even so, Carolina, or any other team, would be taking a huge risk as the prospects of a future suspension will be hanging out there once the legal picture becomes clear. The likely price tag for Watson will be at least two future number-one draft picks, a position player starter, and a quarterback.
ESPN has reported that the Panthers are prepared to outbid any team to land Watson. The reports came after Darnold’s worst effort of the season with just 111 passing yards and an interception in the team’s ugly loss to the lowly New York Giants.
At 3-4 on the season, Carolina is telling its fans that they are not giving up on the season. That is a good sign I guess. But, are the fans ready for the baggage that Watson will bring with him?
