If Panthers get Deshaun Watson, it’s over for Atlanta Falcons

If Carolina Panthers get Deshaun Watson, it’s over for Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons aren’t realistically going to be in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, but there is one team that fans should pull against with reckless abandon.

We’ve heard tons of rumors over the course of the last few weeks about where Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson could end up if the franchise does, indeed, elect to trade him. Watson has formally requested a trade and it seems that three teams have gained major traction in trade talks: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and (recently) Las Vegas Raiders.

While it’s true that it would seem these three franchises are the front-runners, there is a dark horse team that seems to be rising and that’s NFC South Divisional rival Carolina Panthers.

Watson going to the Panthers would absolutely destroy the Atlanta Falcons, at least in their pursuit for immediate competition again.

In his latest mock draft, CBS’ Sports Chris Trapasso had the Panthers trading for Watson and he had the Atlanta Falcons drafting CB Patrick Surtain II.

It still seems unlikely that Watson would end up in Charlotte, but here’s why it would be absolutely killer for the Atlanta Falcons

Make no mistake about it, the Falcons have made it a plan as a franchise to attempt to compete right away with the new leadership in place.

They’re entering this offseason looking to upgrade this roster and compete at the highest level possible. If you put Watson on the Panthers, though, that dream goes right out the window.

You’d be talking about the Saints, who are going to be in good shape regardless of their quarterback situation, combined with the Bucs, who will return Tom Brady off a Super Bowl appearance, and then the Panthers, who would have one of the league’s best quarterbacks combined with an already explosive offense.

Where would that leave the Falcons?

In terms of short-term growth and success, it would almost be over for Atlanta simply because of the talent around the rest of the division.

In the long-term, you’re still facing an uphill battle. The Falcons would have to find answers for long-term solutions (the same as every franchise) while the Panthers would be set to build around Deshaun Watson for years to come.

If you’re the Falcons, the last thing you can have right now is the Panthers all of a sudden vaulting into playoff contention, but that’s exactly what would happen if Watson was added to that roster.

If you’re a Falcons fan, you should be pulling for Watson to be traded to the furthest place possible to any other team in this division because it has been competitive enough already without adding another franchise quarterback to the mix.