[The Athletic] Deshaun Watson to Panthers gets more intriguing: The dominoes start to fall Tuesday The Panthers had a quiet Tuesday on the second day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. But a move in Houston involving a journeyman quarterback who’s joining his fifth team could have a loud and major impact on the story that has dominated the NFL offseason. When the Texans agreed to terms with quarterback Tyrod Taylor on a one-year contract worth as much as $12.5 million, they acquired their fallback option in the event they decide to give Deshaun Watson his wish and trade him. That sound you hear is Nick Caserio’s cell phone blowing up in Houston. Whether the Texans’ first-year general manager chooses to answer this week to field Watson trade offers is unclear. By signing Taylor, who reunites with quarterbacks coach and Charlotte native Pep Hamilton, the Texans could be signaling to Watson that they’re committed to digging in and have a backup plan if he holds out. But most league insiders believe Caserio eventually will deal Watson, presumably prior to the April 29-May 1 draft to maximize the return. And the Panthers will be among the teams hammering Caserio’s cell. An executive with a team that has been monitoring the quarterback market said Tuesday the Panthers “are locked” on Watson, the 25-year-old who grew up in Gainesville, Ga., and won a national championship at Clemson — both within an easy half-day drive of Charlotte. Panthers owner David Tepper has made no secret of his desire to upgrade at the quarterback position. And Watson looks to be Plan A, B and C. Those who know Tepper say the hedge-fund billionaire doesn’t like to be told no. When Matt Rhule was choosing between the Giants and the Panthers last year, Tepper made him an offer that Giants co-owner John Mara wouldn’t top — seven years and $60 million, with the ability to make another $10 million in incentives. So expect the Panthers to put together a big package for Watson, with three first-round picks the likely starting point. They won’t be bidding against themselves. The Jets and Dolphins — both flush with draft picks — have been the teams most often linked to Watson, along with the Panthers. But Denver and San Francisco also could be in play. One wild card to keep an eye on is New England. The Patriots loaded up in free agency with offensive weapons and defensive playmakers, which could make them more attractive to Watson, whose no-trade clause gives him a strong voice in where he ends up. Plus, don’t underestimate Caserio’s ties to New England, where he spent 20 years working with Bill Belichick, including 18 years in player personnel. But back to the Panthers. New general manager Scott Fitterer cleared nearly $12 million in salary-cap space last week when Christian McCaffrey and Shaq Thompsonrestructured their contracts. The Panthers currently have $29.8 million in cap room, according to the NFLPA database. That doesn’t include the $3.6 million they’ll gain with Wednesday’s release of Tre Boston at the start of the league year. That’s plenty of space for Fitterer to continue to fill the Panthers’ positional needs and take on Watson’s $10.54 million cap hit in 2021. In fact, it might behoove Fitterer to re-sign Curtis Samuel or add another dynamic player on offense if it might help him win the Watson Sweepstakes. Panthers fans have been a bit unkind to Fitterer on Twitter this week for his opening free agency salvo, if that’s what you want to call agreeing to terms with a couple of offensive linemen who failed to crack a list of the top free agents that stretched 150 players long. And while Fitterer is likely being smart with Tepper’s money so he can sign a starting cornerback, a pass-rushing defensive tackle and perhaps have enough left for a tight end, he might also be keeping $10.54 million in reserve for Watson. The dominoes started to fall Tuesday. If the last one ends with Watson winding up in Charlotte, those Twitter critics won’t remember that free agency began with Pat Elflein and Cam Erving.
Needs to go a step further and change his name too, like Kareem Abdul Jabbar did. easterby and Cal would trade him before even printing out a Texans jersey with a name like Abdul Jabbar on the back.
This reportedly is what CHI would have given up for Russell Wilson. I'd think Watson would be worth more...
Would the #6 would be high enough (Lawrence, Wilson gone for sure, think Lance might even go... and not sold on Fields or Jones)? If the package was Hurts and #6, PHI second round pick, plus the next few years worth of #1s would that be high enough?
Wouldn’t want Hurts, even though he’s a local boy. And not sure 6 is good enough. Need to look at their defensive roster to see who could work.
If the Eagles #6 isn't high enough... no clue why we should consider CAR's #8 pick. Heck... CAR is rumored to be trying to trade up to #6 to draft Fields.
This is pretty much how the Texans should be playing things. Franchise QBs are incredibly rare. Unless somebody makes an absolutely outrageous, unprecedented offer, you're not even going to bother letting them know you received the message. Ride it out. If it ends up going the distance, so be it.
