Panthers and Browns out of the race for Deshaun Watson
The race to take on the Houston Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watsonmoves on to the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints after the Carolina Panthers were told Thursday they were out of the roster, a source told The Associated Press. Adam Schefter from ESPN.
The Cleveland Browns were also told earlier Thursday that they were out, another source said.
The Falcons delayed $7.5 million roster bonus to quarterback Thursday Matt Ryan from Friday to Tuesday, the sources informed Schefter. The measure gives Atlanta four additional days to hear Watson’s decision and switch to Matt Ryan if required.
The Saints they also made multiple moves earlier Thursday to absorb the $35 million salary from Deshaun Watson in a possible trade, a source told Field Yates from ESPNrestructuring quarterback contracts Taysom Hilldefensive backs Bradley Roby and Malcolm Jenkins and linebacker Demario Davis to leave the team with $29.9 million in cap space.
Deshaun Watson he did not play last season following an offseason trade request and the emergence of 22 lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault and misconduct during massage sessions.
A grand jury of Texas refused to accuse Watson of criminal charges last Friday, marking the end of criminal proceedings related to him in the county of Harris and started conversations between Texans and interested teams.
The lawsuits, which are separate from the criminal case, remain pending. Watson He answered questions about two of the 22 lawsuits filed against him during ongoing depositions Tuesday.