Deshaun Watson’s listing of acceptable locations is down to 2 groups — and the Carolina Panthers aren’t on it. Barring a dramatic plot twist, Watson will play for both the Atlanta Falcons or the New Orleans Saints in 2022. The Panthers discovered late Thursday that they’ve been eradicated from consideration.
Carolina Panthers is not going to purchase Deshaun Watson by way of commerce
Watson largely controls the commerce talks as a result of he has a no-trade clause. He has already blocked a possible commerce to the Cleveland Browns. And on Thursday, he crossed the Panthers off the listing of candidates.
That leaves the Panthers in the identical actual place they had been when the Watson Derby started — with a below-average quarterback room. The one quarterbacks at present on their roster are Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
Darnold was a large disappointment for the Panthers in 2021 after they not solely gave up a lot of picks, together with a second-rounder, to amass him, however picked up his fifth-year possibility that assured his 2022 wage ($18.8 million). In 2021, Darnold misplaced seven of his 11 begins, accomplished beneath 60% of his passes, averaged a paltry 6.2 yards per passing try, and threw 13 touchdowns to 9 interceptions.
Walker, in the meantime, was even worse statistically in his 5 appearances.
Panthers had been concerned about Watson for greater than a 12 months
That satisfied the Panthers’ mind belief, led by proprietor David Tepper, to go huge this offseason. They’d been monitoring the Watson saga for greater than a 12 months and certain would have made a big commerce supply to amass him final winter if not for Watson’s important, critical authorized points.
Now, they’re again to sq. one. They personal the sixth choose within the NFL Draft, however it is a dangerous quarterback 12 months — any of the highest prospects could be a big gamble.
Free company, nonetheless, isn’t any higher. The most important names (Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton amongst them) are all flawed gamers.
The commerce market might be their greatest guess. Baker Mayfield, Jordan Love, and Jimmy Garoppolo are all choices. Nonetheless, the Browns despatched indicators Thursday that they are going to solely deal Mayfield if they’ve an appropriate substitute.
Yet one more title to look at: Philadelphia Eagles backup Gardner Minshew, who intrigued the Panthers on the commerce deadline.
