Report: Saints, Panthers make offers, likely to meet with Watson

The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers have submitted trade offers to the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson and will likely meet with the quarterback soon, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Other teams are also involved in the sweepstakes. Watson, who holds a no-trade clause, reportedly wants to meet with clubs before accepting a deal. The Texans are reportedly expected to permit him to speak with suitors in advance.

A Watson deal could come together quickly following a Houston grand jury's decision not to indict him over allegations of sexual assault. NFL teams were seemingly waiting for clarity on his legal situation before pursuing him.

Watson, 26, requested a trade from the Texans last offseason amid a fallout with ownership and upper management. The three-time Pro Bowler didn't play in 2021 but was on Houston's active roster throughout the campaign.

The Panthers have been linked to Watson for months. Carolina has been stuck in quarterback purgatory for the last two seasons, using multiple starters in both 2020 and 2021.

The Saints cycled through signal-callers last year in their first campaign since longtime starter Drew Brees retired. New Orleans has no clear starter for 2022, with Jameis Winston hitting free agency and Taysom Hill still unproven as a primary passer.

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