The quarterback carousel is in full swing this week, and former Eagles team president Joe Banner believes Deshaun Watson might be next.
On Tuesday, news broke of Aaron Rodgers’ massive contract extension, which was the precursor to Davante Adams being franchise tagged. Just hours later, Russell Wilson was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Denver Broncos, shaking up a loaded AFC West.
The trend of quarterback movement continued Wednesday with Carson Wentz being shipped off to Washington.
Banner listed the teams he considered unlikely suitors with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans were all written off.
The former NFL executive listed two teams as “real possibilities” to acquire Watson and keep the quarterback movement going. He listed the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles as a team to watch in the Watson sweepstakes.
“Carolina is the second most likely team.” Banner wrote in an article published to The 33rd Team. “We know they had conversations last year, and we know there was interest. They need a QB, and they have money available (even with Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option of $18.858M). Obviously, even though they haven’t made good decisions, their actions indicate that they’re putting a huge premium on getting a really good quarterback.”
Banner added: “This leaves us with the Philadelphia Eagles, who are the most likely landing spot for Watson. Philly has three first-round picks this year: their own pick, Miami’s first from the trade-up for Waddle, and the Colts first from the Wentz trade. They can create the cap room — perhaps not as easily as other teams, but they have the capital to do it.”
At this point, there are a bunch of teams still in need of quarterbacks, and the draft class does not offer a ton of hope. Veteran quarterbacks will continue to be on the move this offseason.
