Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, is willing to consider multiple options for a new team as the trade deadline looms, a source told ESPN.
Multiple teams are interested in Watson, and although his interest in joining the Dolphins has become a worst-kept secret of sorts in league circles, the source disputed the notion that it’s simply Miami or bust.
The Dolphins remain a strong contender to land Watson in a trade, but he will consider potential options as they come because his primary goal is to get out of Houston, according to sources. The Texans also want to maximize Watson’s trade value with prospective teams.
One emerging option is the Carolina Panthers, who are evaluating their pursuit of a franchise quarterback after Sunday’s ugly 25-3 loss to the New York Giants, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
The growing expectation is Carolina could reignite Watson talks soon. Carolina was a serious suitor early in the 2021 offseason before sexual assault allegations against Watson surfaced, but Houston general manager Nick Caserio wasn’t engaging with teams at that time, sources say.
The Athletic first reported the Panthers’ renewed interest in Watson. The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. ET.
The Panthers traded second-, fourth- and sixth-round draft picks to the New York Jets this past April for Sam Darnold, who has struggled mightily in recent weeks.
Darnold was benched early in the fourth quarter Sunday but will remain Carolina’s starter “going forward,” according to coach Matt Rhule, who said he made the quarterback switch against the Giants because the Panthers “needed somewhat of a spark.”
The benching came three days after Darnold was given a vote of confidence by Rhule, who was asked about the possibility of the Panthers pursuing Watson in a trade. Rhule told reporters Thursday that Darnold “is going to be a great quarterback for the Carolina Panthers” and that he is “not looking anywhere else,”…
Source : espn
