Raleigh PF

What if the Panthers traded for Garoppolo to (a) get out from under Teddy's contract and (b) cut Garoppolo as soon as the trade's complete? Somebody tell me the numbers, cause this looks like a big win if this is the reason.

The Lions would want Goff...with THAT contract? They'd have to give up Goff AND a 1st rounder(that they don't have).

Tell me the last time forcing a player to sit out worked well for the team that did it? In the end, the player ends up going elsewhere, happily or otherwise. You can make a case about Antonio Brown, but he was/is a nut case. Deshaun is not that. Free agents will still sign with the Texans, but probably not big ones if Texans do that. Hint: they won't.

I expect Caserio and Culley will be able to talk McNair into a trade. Wouldn't be surprised if they've already done so, but are executing a plan to get the most out of a trade. There simply is no incentive for them to make a trade now - it doesn't help the Texans AT ALL. By waiting until just before the draft, they can maximize value. They know what they want and expect they'll get it. From Caserio/Culley, they'll argue that the right trade not only gets them a likely successor, but with the extra picks, they can get much better in a hurry and at a relatively low cost for the next few years. Deshaun is their golden ticket, if they manage the trade correctly. In the meantime, I expect there not to be a ton of movement on the QB market UNTIL Watson's fate is decided, meaning, it'll setup to be one of the more exciting drafts. Expect a whole lot of nothing until then.

I think we can agree that the three scenarios that work out best for the Panthers are: 1. Trade for Deshaun Watson. 2. Trade up in the draft and get one of Fields/Wilson. 3. Trade for Matt Stafford. I put these in the order of my preference. You may have yours, but it appears these are the three. Unfortunately, I wouldn't put the Panthers as the leaders for any of the three scenarios. If that holds true, I don't want the Panthers to pick Trey Lance, Mac Jones or anyone else in this year's draft - at least not in the first three rounds or so. Just seems like a higher potential for a bust and a waste of a pick. In that scenario, I could live with Teddy for another year or maybe try to accumulate another 1st round pick for 2022 to gain more draft capital. I'd rather they not reach for a QB.

I was pretty happy with the idea of Mac Jones being the pick if the Panthers traded down in the 1st and got a few extra (needed) picks. But then I saw Mac Jones in that Pillsbury Doughboy costume. Except he wasn't wearing a costume. Maybe he gets in better shape once he gets to the NFL and can dedicate some money and resources towards his fitness level, but dayum...

I agree with you about Teddy and his contract. From Detroit's perspective, the possibility of getting a 1st round pick next year (albeit less likely) has to be attractive. Having said that, you are likely right that Detroit would want more in the deal, but I think it's a decent foundation for a discussion. The good news is, swapping Teddy and Stafford is a cap neutral transaction. Both teams are paying ~20 to each QB next year, so it wouldn't impact either teams salary caps. Having Teddy there to be the bridge to a newly drafted QB would certainly help them, as well.

I'd be willing to trade a 2nd this year and a conditional 3rd in 2022, with the following conditions: 1. Detroit takes Bridgewater in the deal. 2. Pick becomes a 2022 2nd round pick if the Panthers make the playoffs AND Stafford plays more than 60% of the snaps at QB. 3. Pick becomes a 2022 1st round pick if the Panthers make the NFC Championship AND Stafford plays more than 60% of the snaps at QB. If the Panthers make it that far, it's essentially a 2nd round pick anyhow. In other words, the better Stafford does, the better the pick is for Detroit, but increasingly towards the bottom end of the round.

Miami has the leverage. They know that teams trading into that spot are doing so to draft a franchise QB, which drives up the price. They'll get better offers.

I don't think that'd do it, but Miami would be my target.

Also not listed here - Miami. Sure, Miami could use their #3 overall pick on a young QB, but that means giving up on Tua and I just don't think that's reasonable, yet. Tua needs time. If Miami is smart, they trade out of the #3 spot and use those picks to build a better team around Tua. Bear in mind, Miami has two 2nd round picks this year and they could be used to trade for Stafford. If that happens, they get a QB on a reasonable deal who can be the bridge for Tua for a year or two. Miami was already good last year, this would be the final piece needed to get them over the top. And, while their trading away their #3 overall pick, might I suggest a certain Carolina team that they could trade that to...

You have no idea what they might or might not do. Stop trying to pass off an opinion as fact.

Take them off the table, likely Houston takes Watson off the table.

I'll go in with others saying that nothing will likely happen until the new HC is hired. Who that is and how much DW likes it will determine next steps. Logically, Watson would stay in Houston and work it out with the new HC, but then again, I don't know how big the divide is between them. After that, it's really up to NY and Miami. Both have young QBs. Darnold has been around longer and had to deal with some shitty coaches. I'd bet that Saleh, being the defensive minded coach he is, would like to keep Darnold, trade down to get some extra picks and really get the team moving in his direction. Who knows what Miami thinks or is doing, but I'd list them as the favorites for Deshaun after Houston. The Panthers need to stay engaged, but maybe start talking to NY and Miami about what it would take to trade into their spots to get either Wilson or Fields. Whoever loses the DW sweepstakes is likely going to be fielding calls to get into a position to draft a QB.

Go back and look at the last 10 drafts for QBs. Tell me how likely that is to happen. You're picking 3 anomalies out of more than 20 QBs picked in the first round.

I agree the cost is huge, but I believe we have better pieces in place at the executive level to get quality players beyond Day1. Getting a franchise QB is going to be costly this year, no matter how you slice it. And punting the ball down the road just ensures continued mediocrity until the position is filled.

Yup, keep the picks and the Panthers are more likely to end up with someone like Blake Bortles, Jake Locker or Blaine Gabbert. But hey, at least you saved your picks.

Yup, if the Panthers had the 1st pick in the draft, I would expect them to draft Lawrence, exactly for the reason you mentioned. The Panthers don't have that pick and the cost of getting from #8 to #1 is equal to or greater than the cost for Watson. Forget the #1 pick - the price for that is just out of reach. The best chance for the Panthers is #3, which again, is going to be costly. So, the Panthers could spend up to three 1st round picks to get to #3 and draft a QB that is not necessarily a sure thing (Fields/Wilson) OR they can spend those picks on a proven franchise level QB who is only 25 years old.

Let's think about what the Texans do with those picks. With that draft capital, they should come out of this draft with a franchise QB, at the very least. I don't care who it is, they are going to have ups and downs the first year. It sure would be nice to have a RB the caliber of CMC to ease into the position. CMC bolsters the running game and gives a young QB a nice outlet/check-down when blitzed. The Texans may ask for a little more, but to them, CMC would be valuable. Additionally, while CMC is a big cap hit for the Panthers, he's much less a hit to the Texans who don't have to count his signing bonus against their cap.

There is zero chance that any trade with Detroit for Stafford would include Bridgewater. None. With his contract, Bridgewater has negative value. So, when you consider a trade, keep in mind that the Panthers would be tying up ~40M next year at the QB position.

Don't think of it as 3 first round picks - it's not. Think of it this way. The Panthers would use their #8 pick this year on a franchise QB. So, instead of it being Lawrence, Fields, Wilson, etc, change that name to Deshaun Watson. So you've used one of those three picks on the QB. Essentially, the Panthers are giving up TWO future 1st round picks for Watson. Now, isn't that easier to swallow?

Okay, that's true, but there is no getting rid of Teddy now. His play last year and the size of his contract means he stays with the Panthers. So, while it's not $53M for the QB position, it's still near $40M, which is still too high if your QB1 isn't named Mahomes, Rodgers, etc.

Stafford is at the top of my list in terms of vet QBs I'd like to have to bridge to the next franchise QB, provided we can ever find it. The problem is, how do you fit him under the cap? The Panthers are stuck with Teddy and no one is going to take him in trade. I just don't see spending $50M+ at the QB position. The other problem is trade cost. While I would jump at the chance to give up multiple 1st round picks for Watson, I can't say that I'd be willing to give up even one for Stafford. So yeah, Stafford would be a great fit, but I don't see how we get from Point A (Panthers with Teddy) to Point B (Panthers with Stafford), unless someone can help me navigate that mess.

Just to clear up some erroneous cap information, the Panthers would not be on the hook for $40M in ANY season they have Deshaun Watson. The team trading the player is responsible for any signing bonus as that money has already been paid. The signing bonus is then typically distributed over the life of the contract. Here is Deshaun's contract per Overthecap: Forget the Prorated Bonus column. Houston is responsible for that and it will affect their cap, not the Panthers. Therefore, the most the Panthers would pay is $37M in 2023 (Base+Roster Bonus). Likewise, the Panthers, not the Texans would be responsible for McCaffrey's prorated bonus. Here's his contract:

Seattle didn't win the Super Bowl with Alexander. I think we could agree that Baltimore's defense had more to do with that Super Bowl win than any on offense. So, I'll give you Bettis, but man, that's a stretch. I think you get my point. It's much easier to win a Super Bowl with a franchise QB than it is a franchise RB.