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Three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson is not happy with the Houston Texans at the moment and could waive his no-trade clause if the situation worsens. If that happens, the Carolina Panthers are a potential player in a possible acquisition of the former Clemson star, according to Fox Sports analyst Jason McIntyre.
McIntyre said on Friday on Colin Cowherd’s show that Watson told those close to him that he would not rule out playing for Matt Rhule in Charlotte.
“While I was preparing for this segment, an influencer in the league texted me and said the team I heard from was the Carolina Panthers, a deep sleeper for Deshaun Watson“McIntyre said.” Apparently he told some people he wouldn’t mind coming home. He grew up in Atlanta, about four hours from Carolina and Matt Rhule established a pretty good base there in Carolina … they have a lot of good offensive weapons.
“Just keep an ear for Carolina. I’m on the (New York) Jets train. The league would love that. But keep an ear on Caroline.”
This is the second time this week that Watson has been mentioned as a “sleeper” option for the Panthers, who currently have Teddy Bridgewater tied to a three-year, $ 66 million contract.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported this week that while Watson hasn’t called for a deal, the Texans are ready to listen to arguments from interested franchises. However, they would need considerable assets in return.
Given that Watson is signed until the 2025 season, the Texans have options on how to ease tensions with Watson. Texans CEO Cal McNair recently said he spoke with Watson and wanted to keep him posted.
“I have come to understand that it has been reported that Deshaun (Watson) feels left out of the process,” McNair said in a statement. “But he and I had several visits and understood his point of view to meet the candidates. I reached out to Deshaun about hiring Nick and I can’t wait for him to come back when he returns from vacation.
Watson’s relationship with the Houston front office is deteriorating according to insiders, and many have deemed it unrecoverable.
“The teams are calling,” ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano said this week. “Right now, Houston believes they still think they can fix it. They haven’t even hired a coach yet. They hope it cools down and that they don’t have to trade it. Right now, the people around Watson don’t think it’s salvageable and they will eventually have to (trade it in). Look, the Jets are going to perform the same offense. They’re bringing in Mike LaFleur as the offensive coordinator… if you’re the Jets, you have to think about two first rounders this year, two first rounders next year.
“Given the structure of (Watson’s) contract, he should earn $ 10.5 million next year. If you trade for him, this is the cap hit for Deshaun Watson. Yes, it goes up to $ 35 million, $ 37 million thereafter. But for next year, you would have Deshaun Watson for the price of an off-the-ball linebacker.
Jaylon Thompson of 247Sports contributed to this story.
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