hepcat

nothing has changed except the Browns apparently being out. As soon as Watson's camp reached out to Atlanta, they were the top choice. They still are. Watson is waiting to see if Atlanta can trade Matt Ryan to make enough cap space to trade for him.

The Falcons don't have a lot of options. Matt Ryan apparently never agreed to the contract restructuring apparently. Atlanta just doesn't have the cap space to make this trade with Ryan on the roster.

https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/17/atlanta-falcons-matt-ryan-nfl-trade/ They have to pay him a roster bonus of $7.5m. If they trade him today, the receiving team would have to pay the roster bonus. Colts might be daring the Falcons to take Ryan's roster bonus and trade him after.

Everything is hinging on Atlanta trading Matt Ryan right now. Pitts tweeted that out because Watson wants to play for the Falcons. But they need to trade Matt Ryan to make that happen. If they can work out a deal with the Colts it's done. This might not end today, tomorrow, or a week from now.

fake news

The Matt Ryan trade announcement is what I am waiting to see. If he is traded, Watson is going to Atlanta. That's it.

Matt Ryan trade announcement incoming? (I don't know for sure just speculating)

That's not exactly true but Atlanta is far and away where he wants to be

yes. literally nothing aside from the browns being out has changed, watson was always gonna wait for Atlanta

For the people in the back! Watson is waiting on Atlanta to see if they can trade Matt Ryan somewhere. Probably to the Colts. If Atlanta is out, Panthers DO stand a chance if it’s just them and the Saints. Might be a bidding war. Best case scenario if they don’t land Watson is the Saints end up having to pay more for him.

time to draft Willis. gotta roll the dice on a rookie QB. they already have Darnold for another year. Roll him out there and let Willis sit.

The Panthers trade offer probably contains the most assets. It could force the Saints to up their offer should it come down to the Panthers and Saints, should the Falcons not be able to move Matt Ryan. This is the best case scenario for the Panthers. They'll either land Watson like they want, or the Saints will have to pay more.

I have my doubts we get an official word that the Panthers have been ruled out until a trade is complete

It's probably true because Atlanta might have a deal for Matt Ryan in place. But if it comes down to Panthers and Saints because Atlanta drops out, there's still a chance.

citing Joe Person who I believe spoke a little too soon

Panthers are not out as of now. I think Person spoke a little prematurely. Watson is waiting on the Falcons to see if they can make it work. Otherwise between the Saints and Panthers it could be interesting. Still not a great chance though, a "hail mary" is accurate, because I believe this would have happened a week ago if the Panthers were Watson's first choice.

It could definitely become a very tough situation for Deshaun if the Panthers are offering the better trade package to the Texans but he decides he wants to go to New Orleans. It could cause the Saints to give up more than they originally offered. Which is good for the Panthers either way.

Correct. If Atlanta is out, the chances for the Panthers go up a lot. I don't think New Orleans's trade offer is as good as the Panthers. They probably aren't offering the same caliber of young defensive players on rookie contracts.

This is the only way Watson comes to the Panthers. Atlanta backs out. They can't trade Matt Ryan and free up the salary. This has to happen. Watson is going to Atlanta if they can make it work. Period, the end, goodbye. Houston prefers the Panthers offer over New Orleans. That or the Panthers up the offer to something even MORE crazy. Houston has to agree to the trade as well as Watson waiving his no trade clause. That's it.

It's a clusterf*ck and that's why this is dragging on so long. Atlanta is Watson's #1 choice. But they don't offer the best trade package to Houston. And they'd be enriching a division rival to make a trade work (most likely). Panthers probably still have the most assets on the table to trade for Watson. The Panthers are probably the Texans preferred trade partner. Saints are a wildcard. They don't offer the best trade package most likely, maybe why they needed a second meeting with Watson. They need to win over him personally over the Panthers.

He's wrong in the fact that Atlanta is backing out on their own volition. Watson is waiting for them to make a decision, not the other way around like he phrased it. If they can't deal Matt Ryan, they just can't make a deal work.

Panthers are not out.

Straight up. Colts could get a great deal. But Atlanta might want assets they could turn around and send to Houston.

Like I've said all along, Atlanta is Watson's #1 choice. His people reached out to them after his meetings with the Saints, Panthers, and Browns. If they can't make it work, it's down to the Panthers and Saints. And I think the Panthers have a better shot against the Saints than many expected. But it's still not a great chance because I think Atlanta will leave no stone unturned to make this work. Watson would fill their stadium.

he's wrong