The Saints and Panthers have extended trade offers to the Texans for QB Deshaun Watson, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter). Watson, who wants to make a fully-informed decision before waiving his no-trade clause, will meet with both teams in the near future (Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets that Houston will grant permission for those meetings).
After a grand jury decided against indicting Watson on Friday, trade rumors predictably picked up in a big way. Carolina has been seen as something of a frontrunner for the three-time Pro Bowler since the Dolphins bowed out of the race, but there are now up to 10 teams involved in the bidding.
So while the details of the Saints’ and Panthers’ offers are not yet known, Pelissero says Houston’s asking price — three first-round picks and more — has not changed, and multiple teams are now willing to pay that price. New Orleans and Carolina both have one first-round pick in the 2022 draft, with the Panthers’ No. 6 overall selection obviously quite a bit more valuable than the Saints’ No. 18 selection.
We have known that Panthers owner David Tepper has been willing to pull the trigger on a Watson deal despite the inevitable PR backlash, and Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com says the same is true of Saints ownership (Twitter link). That probably goes without saying in light of the fact that New Orleans has extended a trade offer, but it’s worth noting that, according to Duncan, the franchise has done “extensive background checks” on Watson and is comfortable with its findings.
With free agency opening this week, there is a sense of urgency to these proceedings, at least for some teams. While the Panthers have not been connected to any free agent passers or second-tier trade targets and may pivot to the draft if their Watson pursuit is unsuccessful, New Orleans is interested in re-signing Jameis Winston and doubtlessly wants to get some clarity on where things stand with Watson before Winston is eligible to sign elsewhere. But since Watson wants to take his time and meet with interested clubs, it looks like the process will take a little longer than certain organizations would like.
Texans GM Nick Caserio has been very methodical with respect to the Watson situation, and he is not going to rush things now that he has so much leverage. Soon enough, his patience will pay off in the form of a massive influx of draft capital to accelerate Houston’s rebuilding efforts.
Really interested to see how the Saints would be able to fit him under the cap. Not just this year but also into the future. Even trading high salary guys back to Houston doesn’t work because they have restructured all of their contracts that carry crazy dead money figures.
so long Michael thomas
Didn’t they just redo Thomas’s deal that was supposed to appease both sides to keep him around?
But even trading Thomas leaves a huge dead cap hit because of the restructuring of his contract. All that money was already paid out. It wouldn’t provide the cap relieve necessary to fit Watson under the cap.
They are at about even currently aren’t they?
Voidable years projected into the future.
So do we get to know the offers?
Panthers involve starting QB on Roster.
Always a chance but probably not. You generally don’t hear the details on trades that do not go through. Only time will tell if there are “leaks”.
I don’t see NO a possibility. I hope the Bucs get involved though it seems unrealistic that any team could match or beat offers from Carolina or Seattle. They have to be the favorites.
They can’t be the favorite if he doesn’t want to go there. Watson holds the strongest hand in deciding the trade partner.
Baker Mayfield to TB haha
Watson has a no trade clause in his contract. He has final say over where he goes.
Bucs definitely aren’t involved
I think the Texans will try to strong arm Watson if he wants to try and veto a trade. The word around Htown is that they have threatened not to trade him and sit him the entire contract if he tries vetoing trades. They really don’t like him especially since Watson has been talking trash about the Texans the past two days.
Paying him $150 million to sit does has to be a bluff. Watson is in the drivers seat no matter what
Lol. He is not in the drivers seat if he wants out. That contract would end up in court because there’s no way Houston would pay that to a guy that refuses to play for them.
He hasn’t refused to play. The Texans won’t let him play. So…
He literally met with the coach last year and said he refused to play. This was news in February of 2021. Get your facts right little boy.
He would be fined if that was case. The Texans refused to have him active all season. That’s on them. And just FYI, I would molywop you.
A simple Google search will show I am right. The Texans told him not to dress. I’m sure there was an agreement between them after he said he wasn’t playing, as it makes sense for both sides. My point is he does not hold all the cards like you guys seem to think. He has a little say because of the no trade, but if the Texans get a too good to say no deal it will be waived.
Watson reported to training camp, Houston held him out of team activities year long on their own choosing.
link to pff.com. Houston’s attitude was simply you do not like us we do not like you so you will not play for us and we will trade you. Houston held out for a large trade package and shortly thereafter Watson got whacked.
If Watson does not like team A he doesn’t have to go to team A unless Houston sweetens the deal. Rusty will make sure of that. That is why Watson is interviewing teams making a trade request so that he can make an informed decision. And stick it to Houston a little bit as well is my guess.
He literally sat down with the coach and said I am not playing for the Texans. It is very easily googled.
If you honestly believe that I don’t know what what to say
The salary cap convo for the Saints is propaganda. They extend, convert, bonus and dead money their way around it annually and find a way to stay competitive. Don’t believe the hype, Saints can do what they want.
Every time they convert salary to bonus money, they have less that can be converted in the future while increasing the dead cap if they trade or release a player. They are about at the end of the rope here. With the exception of Void years as mentioned above. I don’t know what Watson would want to be a part of that. No draft picks and no roster flexibility well into the future? I doubt he has any interest in the Saints, especially without Payton.
I think he ends up in Seattle, they would supply him with the best offensive weapons IMO. Especially if the resign Penny and he manages to stay healthy by some miracle.