Panthers are interested in a trade for Deshaun Watson. But many factors are involved
If you thought this week was wild with quarterback news, next week may be get even more interesting for the Carolina Panthers.
On Friday, a grand jury in Harris County declined to indict Deshaun Watson on criminal charges.
Why is that significant?
Because it will finally provide teams clarity on whether it’s worth pursuing the Houston Texans quarterback, who was facing 10 criminal complaints and is still facing 22 different civil cases alleging sexual misconduct and sexual assault during massage sessions. Watson has denied all wrongdoing, his attorney Rusty Hardin told the Observer in a phone interview Thursday night.
Are the Panthers one of the teams still interested in the 26-year-old quarterback and former Pro Bowler?
Absolutely.
As expected, the Panthers have again been in contact with the Texans this month about Watson and what a potential trade would look like.
But it’s far from a done deal. And while the Panthers are prepping in case they do decide to make a move, and have talked to a number of people as they try to understand Watson’s character, a final decision has not been made.
A lot of factors are involved, and the Panthers are going to have a lot of options to weigh before making a decision that could come as soon as Monday — with Watson is cleared.
For one, the allegations are serious. And though he was cleared of any of the criminal charges, Carolina will still have to weigh what’s been alleged in the civil trials.
The current approach the Panthers are taking is letting the facts of the case play themselves out in court.
A second factor is that there are other suitors for Watson’s services, too.
Only the Texans know all the teams interested in Watson, and more will likely become interested now that he isn’t facing charges. But that there are other teams interested in a trade for the quarterback makes things more difficult for Carolina, which has been searching for a franchise quarterback since they parted ways with Cam Newton the first time in 2020. The Panthers currently have only two quarterbacks on their roster — Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker — and neither has shown he is the long-term answer at quarterback.
Previously, one of the biggest hurdles to getting Deshaun Watson was the Miami Dolphins.
Miami was Watson’s preferred destination in the fall, and the Dolphins wanted him, too.
But Dolphins general manager Chad Grier told local reporters at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week that the “door is shut on Deshaun.”
However, the Steelers, Seahawks, Colts, Buccaneers, Eagles and Saints all need a quarterback and could be major factors, too. The more teams are interested, the higher the price tag.
The Denver Broncos’ trade of two first-round picks, two second-round picks and multiple players to the Seahawks for quarterback Russell Wilson showed that it’ll take a haul to get Watson.
(Carolina, too, was interested in Wilson, but the feeling wasn’t mutual. Wilson wasn’t going to waive his no-trade clause to come to Charlotte. Denver was his preferred destination).
In October, Houston was asking for at least three first-round draft picks and three third-round picks.
The Panthers will likely have to give up at least three first-round picks, another pick and a young player or two in exchange for Watson. Those players likely would include either Jeremy Chinn, Brian Burns and/or Derrick Brown, players still on their rookie deals who are still fairly cheap and with a lot of potential.
Although Christian McCaffrey’s name has floated in trade rumors, the Panthers aren’t shopping him. By trading him, Carolina would incur some dead cap money.
Watson also has a “no-trade” clause in his contract, so ultimately, he controls his own destination. He could say “no” to a trade to Carolina.
A third factor is the fact that the NFL is also conducting its own separate investigation and could decide to suspend Watson regardless of the outcome of the grand jury’s decision, if they find he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. A suspension, in fact, is considered likely.
Watson could be suspended for a multiple games or an entire season, or Commissioner Roger Goodell could decide to put him on the commissioner’s exempt list. That would happen if the commissioner made his decision during the season. The exempt list essentially would put Watson on paid administrative leave, and he wouldn’t count against the roster.
But if the Panthers trade for Watson and he’s suspended, they’d still be on the hook for his salary. He’s signed through the 2025 season, but his cap number for 2022 is $35 million, according to spotrac.com. Carolina would likely have to restructure his deal and cut some veterans to get under the cap.
The Panthers currently have about $31 million in cap space. However, $10 million is set aside for in-season moves and about $9 million for the 2022 draft class.
A made scramble will commence for Watson. Expect discussions. Expect things to get real.
Expect the Panthers to be in the mix for Deshaun Watson.
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 8:07 PM.
