Each day a new team emerges as the leader in the sweepstakes to land disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
To be fair, the Carolina Panthers have been interested in Watson from the get-go.
It is not hard to envision Watson in Carolina given the fact that he played college football at Clemson which is located in South Carolina.
Can the Carolina Panthers land Deshaun Watson?
They sure can, and here is why.
1. Watson Does Not Want To Play For The Texans
He met with the new Texans’ head coach David Culley on February 19.
Watson reportedly took a hard stance saying that he has no intention to play for the Texans.
Deshaun Watson is willing to lose millions sitting out for Texans https://t.co/SJYupdljT4 pic.twitter.com/RYEyaOFKao
— New York Post (@nypost) February 26, 2021
The Texans still have not given any indication that they want to deal Watson.
It may be a situation where one side is forced to give in, and it could be in the best interest of the Texans to do so.
Per sources, Texans QB Deshaun Watson met with new Texans head coach David Culley last Friday. In that meeting Watson reiterated that he wants to be traded and told Culley he has no intention of playing for the Texans again. No change from Watson's end. He remains dug in.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 25, 2021
2. Carolina Is Among Watson’s Desired List Of Teams
BREAKING:
It's been confirmed by sources that Deshaun Watson would approve trades to the Jets, Dolphins, and Panthers.
— ESPNUpstate (@ESPNUpstate) February 22, 2021
Here is the short list of teams that Watson is interested in playing for:Â Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.
Watson grew up in Georgia and as previously mentioned played for Clemson so it is not difficult to see why Carolina is on the list.
The Panthers did not fare well in 2020 with a 5-11 record.
Coach Matt Rhule, who is now entering his second season, is a young head coach (46) who comes from the college ranks so working with him may be an intriguing possibility for Watson.
3. Carolina Will “Pay Any Price” For Watson
Perhaps the most significant reason the Panthers could get Watson are recent reports indicating they will “pay any price.”
The Texans are still not discussing a Deshaun Watson trade but some teams are leaving voicemails with their offers, per @TomPelissero pic.twitter.com/ROEB4KTDxx
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 25, 2021
Even the Texans who have steadfastly rejected the notion of trading Watson have to be curious what this means.
Tony Pauline, a chief draft analyst at Pro Football Network, discussed a potential Carolina trade for Watson on the Wednesday, February 24 draft insiders show.
“Now, the big noise I have heard over the past 24 hours comes from the Carolina Panthers. I spoke with someone last night, and we spoke about Deshaun Watson. This is a person in the know, and they told me that the Panthers will do anything they can to acquire Watson, and they will pay any price to acquire Deshaun Watson.”
A week before, it was reported that the Panthers would offer running back Christian McCaffrey and three first-round draft picks for Watson.
Many felt that was already a high price, but it sounds like as time has gone by, the Panthers are more eager and willing to give more to get Watson.
It seems like a Watson trade is the only way for both parties to move on in 2021.
The Texans released J.J. Watt upon his request but now appear to be holding tight to Deshaun Watson.
Neither side benefits if Watson holds out for the entire season; the Texans need players and Watson needs a fresh start.
At this point, it is just a matter of which team makes the best offer to the Texans.
Could that be the Carolina Panthers?
Sounds like a definite possibility.
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