One way or another, Deshaun Watson is going to take a chunk out of the Carolina Panthers. But they’re hoping it won’t be coming from the opposite sideline twice a season.
With the pursuit of the Houston Texans quarterback heating up, Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson provided an intense update on what’s become an NFC South arms race. As of Monday morning, the New Orleans Saints have reportedly emerged as serious contenders for Watson while the Panthers continue to hold on for dear life.
“The Saints are regarded as an attractive potential destination for Watson, per league sources,” Wilson writes. “Multiple sources have characterized the Saints as an emerging leader for Watson. Others have described the Panthers as aggressive and motivated as humanly possible to try to give the Texans a huge haul of draft picks and players and will try hard to convince Watson, if given permission to speak with him, that he should waive his no-trade clause for them.”
The kicker, of course, is Watson’s no-trade clause. Even if owner David Tepper is ready to sell his farm, the three-time Pro Bowler has the leverage to ultimately push a deal through.
And given Watson’s alleged preferences of a stable head coaching situation, offensive line and defense, New Orleans probably looks a lot prettier to him than Carolina does right now.
