The market for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is heating up.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers have made offers for the three-time Pro Bowler. Additionally, they are likely to meet with the former 2020 NFL passing champion soon.
Tom Pelissero from the NFL Network followed up Rapoport’s report with additional information concerning the trade package for Watson, which hasn’t altered. General manager Nick Caserio is looking for three first-round picks as a starting point for any trade package. Other draft picks or players could be a part of the deal, but the three first-rounders are the starting line.
The #Texans are expected to grant permission for interested clubs to speak to Deshaun Watson, so this could ramp up quickly. The price hasn’t changed – three first-round picks and more – and multiple teams are willing to pay it. https://t.co/1LJ5NLva9R
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2022
On March 11, a Harris County grand jury declined to indict Watson as it related to criminal complaints of sexual assault filed with the Houston Police Department. Watson is still a defendant in a civil lawsuit wherein 22 women have alleged sexual assault. The NFL is also conducting their own parallel investigation into the allegations, which could warrant its own punitive action regardless of how the civil suit pans out.
Watson’s trade request has been active since late January of 2021.
