Panthers’ Matt Rhule ‘bought in’ on Sam Darnold with Deshaun Watson on trade block
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Thursday that Carolina is sticking with Sam Darnold at quarterback despite Deshaun Watson’s availability on the trade block.
“I believe Sam is gonna be a great quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, and I haven’t done any work on anyone else,” Rhule said on a conference call with Giants beat writers on Thursday morning. “So I’m bought in on Sam.
“My biggest thing is making sure that me and [quarterbacks coach] Sean Ryan and [offensive coordinator] Joe Brady do a better job of putting Sam in the best position,” Rhule added. “He’s my focus, and I expect him to play his best football moving forward. I’m not looking anywhere else.”
Rhule’s comment doesn’t mean things can’t change.
In February 2020, Rhule said “I absolutely want” Cam Newton in Carolina. Then the Panthers cut Newton a month later.
The Panthers were one of the most aggressive reported suitors of Watson this past spring until rampant sexual assault and harassment allegations against the Houston Texans QB prompted Carolina to back out.
There have been conflicting reports about whether Carolina is again pursuing Watson ahead of the Nov. 2 trade deadline.
The Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday that the Texans and Miami Dolphins could have a trade completed by the end of this week.
Watson has a no trade clause and wants to play in Miami, so that is viewed as his most likely landing spot. But the report was also viewed as the Texans trying to get other teams involved again to drive the price up.
The Athletic reported the Texans have had “recent discussions” with the Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. However, the Charlotte Observer reported the Panthers have not been involved in any recent talks for Watson at all.
Watson, 26, is not suspended by the NFL right now. He is eligible to play. The Texans simply are electing to pay him but not play him.
It’s unclear if the league would step in to suspend Watson if he were traded to an organization like the Dolphins that intends to play him right away.
Watson also faces legal consequences of 22 lawsuits against him for the alleged sexual assault and harassment.
