Report: Panthers not expected to pursue Watson
It appears the Carolina Panthers aren't in the running for Deshaun Watson, after all.
The Panthers are not expected to pursue a trade for the Houston Texans quarterback, who has only waived his no-trade clause for a move to the Miami Dolphins, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Although Panthers head coach Matt Rhule denied last week that his team is interested in Watson, subsequent reports indicated Carolina would be involved in trade talks for the signal-caller.
The NFC South club benched Sam Darnold in the fourth quarter of Sunday's defeat to the New York Giants, further fueling speculation that the Panthers could pursue Watson.
Carolina acquired Darnold from the New York Jets for a second-round pick and fourth-round pick in 2022 and a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft. The 24-year-old performed well as the Panthers started the season 3-0, but he's since struggled amid the team's slide to 3-4.
Watson, 26, faces lawsuits from 22 women who say he sexually assaulted them or committed sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Ten women have filed criminal complaints against Watson.
The NFL hasn't placed Watson on the commissioner's exempt list. He has been a healthy scratch for the first seven weeks of the season.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday the league doesn't currently have the "necessary information" to decide Watson's status.