Report: Panthers to make 'aggressive' offer for Watson

The Carolina Panthers plan to submit an "aggressive" trade offer for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, a source told ESPN's David Newton.

Watson owns a no-trade clause, but it reportedly isn't expected to become an issue, clearing the Texans and Panthers to negotiate.

The Panthers have been heavily linked to Watson since he requested a trade over a year ago. Carolina has been stuck in quarterback purgatory, using five starters to get through the past two seasons.

Watson's trade market is expected to heat up after a Houston grand jury declined to indict him Friday over allegations of sexual assault, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Teams interested in the signal-caller were previously hesitant to deal for him amid the possibility of criminal charges.

The 26-year-old still faces 22 lawsuits from women who have accused him of sexual misconduct. The NFL could discipline Watson even though he won't be charged criminally.

Watson was one of the NFL's top quarterbacks through his first four seasons and led the league with 4,823 passing yards in 2020. He sat out the entirety of 2021.

Houston has reportedly requested an enormous trade package headlined by three first-round picks.

The Seattle Seahawks are also expected to make a run at landing Watson after dealing Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Newton reports.

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