Panthers could get aggressive in Deshaun Watson trade talks

The Carolina Panthers have been connected to Deshaun Watson in some capacity but reports indicate the team could get aggressive in pursuing a trade. 

From the moment that Deshaun Watson requested a trade from the Houston Texans, the Carolina Panthers were mentioned as a possible destination for the uber-talented quarterback. Not only could they stand to upgrade from Teddy Bridgewater but they would be bringing the former Clemson star back at least close to home.

As Watson remains in Houston for now, though, it still seems as if there are endless possibilities as to where he could eventually land. But don’t count out the Panthers at this point, even if they don’t necessarily have the draft arsenal that a team such as the Miami Dolphins has to offer the Texans.

According to a report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Carolina owner David Tepper is over the notion of having a “game-manager” at quarterback and wants to make an upgrade. Furthermore, the owner is reportedly enamored with the idea of trading for Watson with La Canfora describing him as “fairly consumed” with the notion.

Whenever Tepper purchased the franchise in 2018, many expected him to be extremely aggressive with his approach to improving the team. To this point, though, that hasn’t wholly been the case. But with one year of head coach Matt Rhule being in the building, the time appears to be now for Tepper to spearhead that type of all-in move on a player like Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson is a risk the Panthers might feel they need to take.

Carolina has already tried to be aggressive in upgrading at quarterback this offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers offered Bridgewater and the No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for Matthew Stafford. The Lions obviously chose the Rams’ offer instead but it speaks to Tepper and Carolina’s approach to this offseason and the position.

If they were willing to offer that type of package for Stafford, an upgrade at quarterback but one on the wrong side of 30 and with limited upside, then they would almost surely be willing to meet whatever price the Texans would be asking.

It’s worth noting that Houston has stood firm that they aren’t looking to trade Watson but, as time passes and with the belief that the quarterback could sit out games, the Texans are losing leverage in that arena. Subsequently, a trade still feels inevitable. And the Panthers will surely still be interested and ready to negotiate.

For the Panthers, this would undoubtedly be a major gamble. Yes, they would potentially land Watson, which sets their franchise up for sustained success. But we’ve seen in the past that mortgaging a ton of draft capital in a blockbuster trade has produced mixed results. This is no different.

Even still, Carolina has started clearing out money by cutting Kawann Short and Tre Boston. That could be another indication that they’re readying for a Deshaun Watson trade as they will have to take on his massive salary.

Given how things have progressed to this point, don’t expect a Watson trade to happen anytime soon. But up until it does, the Panthers appear intent on being one of the most aggressive players in that market. Whether that ends with them being the ones to land the franchise quarterback, however, is the lingering question.