4:34pm: It may be an NFC South duel for Watson. The three-time Pro Bowler, as of Monday afternoon, is not willing to waive his no-trade clause for anyone but Carolina or New Orleans, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle said during an appearance on WFNZ (Twitter link). The Saints may have a slight lead in this race, with CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora noting Watson is “lukewarm at best” about the Panthers (Twitter link). While it has been reported Watson would waive his no-trade clause for the Panthers, this may not be his preferred outcome.
Watson has rejected the Seahawks, McClain adds (Twitter link). The Colts, as should be expected, are not in this mix. Though, they may or may not have tried. The Texans denied their AFC South rivals permission to speak with Watson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Seahawks, reported as an interested party over the weekend, are not planning to meet with Watson, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter).
More teams are interested, but it certainly appears these two rivals are in the lead. Watson will meet with each team Monday night in Houston, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Watson is also planning to meet with other teams Tuesday, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets. This saga could include a trade soon, despite Watson’s civil suits not yet being resolved.
10:17am: Deshaun Watson is expected to meet with the Panthers and Saints in the next couple of days (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). On top of that, Watson will also chat with other interested clubs between now and Wednesday. 
The Texans have granted Watson permission to meet with other clubs, which may help to advance the trade talks. Watson holds a no-trade clause, so the Texans have to get his sign-off before completing any deal.
On that note, Watson has not turned down a potential trade to the Panthers (Twitter link via David Newton of ESPN.com). It was long reported that Watson only OK’d a trade to the Dolphins, but Newton hears that’s not the case — at least, when it comes to Carolina. With that in mind, it’s possible that Watson could go along with a trade to the Saints or one of the other interested teams.
The details are not yet known, but the Saints and Panthers have made offers for Watson recently. Meanwhile, the Texans’ asking price has not budged. Houston GM Nick Caserio still says that he wants three first-round picks plus more assets in exchange for the embattled QB. The Panthers, who own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 draft, could make a compelling offer for the Texans. The Saints, who sit at No. 18, would have to offer more in their package to top their bid.
“Are you capable of keeping pass catching weapons and pass protection if you trade for me?”
“Are you capable of keeping your &$@# in your pants if we trade for you?”
As things stand now both answers seem to be no.
CAR should package the 6th pick with their next two years first rd pick along with Darnold and McCaffrey for Watson.
Nobody wants McCaffrey on that contract.
What are they giving Houston to take those contracts?
He has pending cases and getting multiple first rd picks evens out the deal. Not to mention McCaffrey and Darnold still have potential.
Darnold is potentially an analyst!
Darnold is making $18 million this year and he’s bad. McCaffrey has played 10 games out of a possible 33 the last two years and he’s third at his position in both cap hit and base salary this year, with two more years of substantial guarantees remaining after that. Terrific player when healthy, but yikes.
No.
Texans already have a QB replacement in Mills.
If they’re trading Watson its for picks and/or young players still on rookie contracts with years left, 3 or more.
A rebuilding team has no interest in someone like McCaffrey.
The Texans aren’t going to get the value they want but they can do better than that.
Nobody would touch him with potential criminal charges against him but they’re lined up around the block now that it’s ‘only’ civil court he has to deal with.
Good thing he didn’t take one knee on the sideline. His career would have been over.
If Kaepernick put up Deshaun Watson numbers he’d still be in the league kneeling or no kneeling. Kaepernick’s inability to throw is a huge part why he’s out of the league.
Last 4 years Kaepernick completed 58.4%, 60.5%, 59%, 59.2% of his passes. Sub 60% isnt going to cut it at QB.
Watson put up 61.8%, 68.3%, 67.3%, 70.3% in 4 years.
I guess that is my point. There is almost nothing the league won’t forgive if you put butts in seats.
Kaep was not great but citing *only* completion percentage is insane. Sam Darnold had incredibly similar completion percentages and he netted three draft picks in a trade and started.
Wentz had a 57.4% his last year in Philly and netted a 1st and a 3rd from the Colts and started, and even though he put up bad numbers again, he netted more picks and will start in 2022 for the Commodes.
Fitzpatrick has a career 60.7% and he’s always getting starts. Jameis Winston never has good %s and throws a ton of picks and he still gets starts. Jacoby Brissett is another one. And on and on.
Again, Kaep was not great his last year, but he was absolutely good enough to get starts. The kneeling thing definitely hurt him.
Wentz has posted 62 60 69 63 57 and 62. Well above what Kaepernick posted.
Ryan Fitzpatrick posted 68 62 and 66 the previous 3 years in Tampa and Miami before signing with Washington. Posted 63 in Houston before sucking with the Jets for 2 years.
Darnold and Fitz played for the Jets and both completed sub 60 percents while there. And sucked. Common denominator being jets have no clue what theyre doing.
Saying panthers overpaid for Darnold doesnt make Kaepernick suckless as a QB. The thought process was maybe he’d suck less not with the Jets. Kaepernick had opportunities- Denver Baltimore- messed those up himself.
His career is over because he’s not that good. He was offered a contract by Denver but it wasn’t for QB1 and he rejected it. By now he would have had numerous chances to start for that team over the past 4 years. He’s got NO ONE to blame but his own self for being unemployed.
Don’t forget that one of the major reasons Watson fell out of favor in Houston was his desire to be the team’s GM. Sure hope Carolina signs him so we can watch the circus come to town.
In fairness, their actual GM traded Hopkins for David Johnson and a 2nd, so Watson probably would have done a better job.
Just said on the radio Carolina is going to let him pick their new coach.
Carolina owner David Tepper hired Rhule on a seven-year, $62 million contract.
Rhule ain’t on track to be there for the whole contract.
Dude makes sure he gets what he wants.
He just takes it.
Keep in mind that Watson may still be suspended by the league. Until teams know how many games that will be for, I’m not sure they are going to give up 3 1st rounders for a guy who could miss at least a half of the season.
I think it’s a foregone conclusion he’ll be suspended for about half a season. I’d assume every team knows that and will take that into consideration.