Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer opened quite a few doors back in January when he said he would “be in on every deal.” But is one of those doors now closed?
Fitterer spoke with media this morning during move-in day at the site of training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. Among the many questions he fielded about the roster was one pertaining to Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, particularly on if the team has maintained interest in a potential trade for the three-time Pro Bowler.
“Yeah, we’re focused on the guys that are here right now,” Fitterer said. “We’re gonna get Sam [Darnold] and all of our guys ready to play. We’re not focused on players on another team. We’re just focused on the guys here.”
The inquiry had arisen amidst reports that the Texans are now willing to listen to trade offers for Watson, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen has added Houston would try to land a combination of five high draft picks and starting caliber players in exchange for the superstar.
Whether or not Fitterer and the Panthers are willing to part with such a package at this point is as cloudy and uncertain as Watson’s ongoing litigation. He was, however, clear on how impressed he’s been with those aforementioned guys that are currently on the team, specifically Darnold.
“He’s one of those guys that he still has all that athleticism we saw when he was coming out. He’s got all the arm talent,” Fitterer said of his projected Week 1 starter. “There’s some times he looked really, really good. Like ‘Wow, he’s making a lot of progress.’ And then you throw something new at him, it kinda catches him off-guard, but then he changes the next day. He doesn’t make the same mistake.”
Fitterer also commented on backups P.J. Walker and Will Grier, stating both have “done a good job” thus far when asked if Darnold would benefit from bringing in a veteran presence behind him at the position.
So if Tuesday’s talk was any indication, it seems as though the Panthers will continue to keep their distance, at least for the time being, from Watson or any other considerable move at quarterback.
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