Panthers moving on from NFL trade deadline interest in Deshaun Watson, sources say

Panthers proprietor David Tepper remained involved in Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson main as much as the NFL commerce deadline, in line with a number of sources who’ve been in shut contact with him, however talks stalled and now seem to have been ended for an in-season film.

A supply aware of the crew’s considering stated Saturday, after CBS Sports activities first reported the Panthers’ continued negotiations with Houston, that Tepper and the Panthers don’t have any intention of pursuing Watson previous to the commerce deadline and so they haven’t included Christian McCaffrey in any commerce conversations. 

League sources instructed CBS Sports activities this week that the groups renewed talks early final week however had been unable to conform to parameters on a deal. Houston’s asking worth for the quarterback, who’s being paid by the Texans to not play this season whereas he faces 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault or sexual misconduct, stays too excessive for the Panthers’ liking (in addition to the Dolphins), although there’s an expectation inside the trade that might change by Tuesday, which might be Houston’s final likelihood to unload the participant previous to the beginning of the 2022 league yr in March.

The Texans have held out for 5 or 6 key items for Watson, together with no less than three first-round picks. Nobody has met that up to now. League sources stated the Panthers on the time had been keen to half with three excessive picks and All-Professional working again McCaffrey in a package deal for Watson; the Texans are very excessive on a number of of the Panthers’ younger defensive standouts (nonetheless on their rookie contracts and youthful and cheaper than McCaffrey), and the perimeters failed to succeed in a compromise.

The Panthers have extra confirmed younger expertise than the Dolphins, one different issue that might result in them, and never Miami, touchdown Watson. Panthers govt Steven Drummond could be very shut with Texans prime exec Jack Easterby, the Texans would like to ship Watson to the NFC, all issues being equal, and Tepper’s motivation to land Watson shouldn’t be missed. He has made it clear all through his group for a while that he covets the Texans’ franchise QB, he’s trying to develop the Panthers as a regional model deeper into South Carolina, and believes that including Clemson star gamers might assist in that trigger.

The transfer to accumulate former Jets prime decide Sam Darnold has already flamed out – Darnold rapidly reverted to his gradual begins and turnover-happy methods and was benched in Week 7 – and Tepper’s frustration in regards to the incapability to seek out stability on the quarterback place, not to mention high-end manufacturing, is excessive following 4 straight losses going into this weekend.

“The one motive that he does not have Watson already is that the value is just too excessive,” stated one supply with direct information of the scenario. “That is it. He is wished him for a very long time.”

One other supply with information of the scenario stated, “This can be a hedge fund man. He’s studying markets and searching for worth. All you heard final week is the Panthers are out of it. Positive they’re. He’ll be again by Tuesday. Nothing is over till the deadline passes.”

Suffice to say, there’s a robust expectation in NFL circles that the Panthers will probably be amongst these speaking to the Texans as much as the deadline. Given Watson’s authorized issues, the complexities of such a commerce, in addition to Watson’s unsure enjoying standing this season and past, many normal managers have lengthy surmised that Watson wouldn’t get dealt till 2022. And that very properly may very well be the case. However there stay events with the matter coming to a head early this week.