If Deshaun Watson is traded ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, it doesn’t sound like it will be to the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers and the Dolphins have been the two teams mentioned the most for the Houston Texans star quarterback.
However, according to a report from ESPN, the Panthers have backed off their pursuit of the former Clemson Tigers quarterback.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Panthers were “scared off” their pursuit of the Pro Bowl quarterback.
Deshaun Watson’s legal issues, no-trade clause uncertainty prompted Panthers to back off trade pursuit, sources say
‘(Panthers) felt he would have come to Carolina but (that) he wanted Miami first.’ https://t.co/IuVpTNeLLh
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 31, 2021
From the report:
Watson is facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior and has not played a down for the Texans this season. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, which he’s willing to waive for the Dolphins.
The Panthers, who explored a potential Watson deal dating back to the offseason, got indications that Watson would be interested in playing for them but hadn’t received that commitment in writing — a customary step for a no-trade clause — as of this week.
The Panthers have major uncertainty at the quarterback position, as Sam Darnold has been inconsistent at-best this season. However, it doesn’t sound like they will be pursuing Watson moving forward.
The NFL’s trade deadline is set for 4 p.m. E.T. on Tuesday.
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