A still-muddled legal situation has left Deshaun Watson‘s NFL career in limbo, but the quarterback continues to generate interest. While the Dolphins have moved out of the picture, the other team closely connected to the three-time Pro Bowler remains interested.
The Panthers still have Watson on their radar, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. The Panthers were prepared to make a major push for Watson last year, and after initially backing off after the off-field trouble surfaced, they were believed to have made the Texans an offer. Carolina re-emerging as a serious suitor could be a significant offseason development, though any trade talk obviously takes a backseat to the lawsuits ensnaring Watson.
[RELATED: Watson Eyeing Buccaneers, Vikings?]
Carolina’s quarterback situation moved Matt Rhule to the edge of a hot seat last year, and the team has not had stability at the position since Cam Newton‘s injuries began to pile up. The Panthers still have Sam Darnold‘s fully guaranteed $18.8MM salary on their payroll, but for a player like Watson, the QB-desperate team likely would not view that as a hindrance.
Watson holds a no-trade clause, and he is not believed to have waived it for anyone but the Dolphins last year. Still, his past at Clemson and the now-Mike McDaniel-led Dolphins exiting the pursuit — despite Stephen Ross‘ extensive interest prior to the 2021 trade deadline — certainly makes the Panthers a team to watch here.
Watson refusing to waive his no-trade clause for the Eagles did not stop them from doing plenty of work on the embattled QB. GM Howie Roseman “intensely” researched Watson’s situation, and the Eagles sent an investigator to Houston last year to gather more intel on this complex off-field matter, Wilson adds. With both Roseman and Jeffery Lurie being on this at various points, the door should not be viewed as closed on the Eagles’ end. They have three first-round picks in the 2022 draft — all in the teens — and could present the Texans with a compelling offer. Houston has sought a five- to seven-asset package for Watson, and want three first-rounders included in a proposal.
As for Watson’s criminal and civil cases, the holding pattern remains. Some of Watson’s accusers in the civil suit have yet to be deposed, and Wilson notes a judge ruled this week such depositions can be pushed back until at least April 1. Six of the 22 women accusing Watson of sexual assault or sexual misconduct have yet to be deposed. Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, still expects a resolution on Watson’s criminal case, which has seen 10 women come forward with complaints. The Houston Police Department has not yet charged Watson with a crime.
These investigations moving into April would put the teams still interested to decisions at quarterback, with the new league year opening March 16. With quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins‘ true availabilities unknown as of late February, Watson being dropped into the trade mix late would add another complexity to this equation. A potential NFL suspension clouds this process as well.
Didn’t Tepper speak disparagingly publically about certain public figures and their allegations sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior? Would those comments come back to bite him if he were to trade for Watson? This is certainly not a political question or a question of Tepper’s personal character/beliefs, but his statements in the past about similar situations seems like they could become relevant in this football-related matter
In any case, and speculation aside, I just can’t see how one could justify offering so much for a player who likely will be facing a lengthy suspension-and, to some degree of possibility, legal consequences.
If the Eagles trade those 3 first-round picks for Watson, us Eagles fans might have to run Howie Roseman out of town on a rail.
agreed
The last time the Eagles sent someone to Houston to do QB research they ended up drafting Kevin Kolb…lol.
Yup.
Would you trust him to stay out of trouble? That and a long suspension from Goodell if he is found guilty in either the civil cases or the criminal cases makes him not worth a bunch of picks.
I don’t blame the Panthers. Rhule is desperate to save his NFL career. Running out Darnold and Cam again would be comically bad.
Knowing that the head coach is on the Hot seat. Why would he even consider letting the Texans trade him there?
Did watson get paid for last year?
I’m pretty sure his lawyers don’t work for free.
He got paid the entirety of his 2021 salary – $10,540,000. He also previously received his pro-rated signing bonus which for 2021 was $5,400,000.
What a crime!
Sure, bring Watson into the fold, and be sure to introduce him to your daughters.