The Carolina Panthers’ pursuit of Deshaun Watson is just like Michael Myers in Halloween—just when you think it’s dead, it somehow gets back up and lives on. Well, it might not be getting back up for a while.
In opposition to the word CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora passed down on Friday night, multiple reports have refuted another revival of talks between the Panthers and the Houston Texans. Additionally, Carolina has apparently never included running back Christian McCaffrey as part of a potential deal in the previous engagements for Watson.
Joseph Person of The Athletic was on it first on Saturday morning.
Panthers’ position on Deshaun Watson hasn’t changed: They re-engaged with Houston again this wk, but they’re not expected to be players for him before Tuesday’s trade deadline, per three sources.
Sources also say Christian McCaffrey wasn’t part of the talks.— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 30, 2021
The Panthers’ most recent look into a possible blockbuster for the troubled quarterback was put on ice during the league’s owners meetings this past week in New York City, N.Y. Houston’s asking price as well as Carolina’s inability to meet with Watson to discuss his ongoing legal situation were ultimately the deciding factors.
Yahoo NFL senior reporter confirmed Person’s tweet, stating the Texans likely wouldn’t even ask for McCaffrey in any return.
Carolina #Panthers pulled the plug on a Deshaun Watson pursuit Tuesday. There are no talks. Christian McCaffrey was never part of the talks, nor would the #Texans want him to be. Houston is not onboarding that kind of running back salary. #Texans want to clear salary, not add.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 30, 2021
Sunday will mark the 18th game McCaffrey has missed due to injury over the past two seasons. The All-Pro rusher’s contract, one worth approximately $16 million per year, will run through the 2025 campaign.
So, with that, there’s seemingly no need to call up Dr. Loomis . . . for now.