Report: Coaching uncertainty a reason Deshaun Watson didn't pick Panthers

It's hardly a secret that the Carolina Panthers were one of several teams that struck out on landing star quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans this past NFL offseason before Watson waived his no-trade clause to join the Cleveland Browns. 

For a piece published Wednesday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler offered more insight into Watson's mindset at the time. 

Fowler reports that "Carolina was not Watson's first choice, though the Panthers were heavily in the mix at the end" before the three-time Pro Bowl selection chose Cleveland as his next football home. However, the fact that Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was believed to already be "on the hot seat" worried the signal-caller. 

"The uncertainty with the coaching staff was a factor," a source told Fowler. Fowler also repeated previous reports that said the "Panthers had balked" at giving Watson a fully-guaranteed contract.  

The irony regarding Fowler's update is that Watson indirectly played a role in the Panthers dismissing Rhule on Oct. 10. Carolina ultimately traded with Cleveland for quarterback Baker Mayfield in July, and Rhule later named Mayfield his starter in a decision that went poorly for all involved. 

Carolina began the season at 1-4 with Mayfield under center, and ESPN stats show that the currently-injured 27-year-old is 33rd among eligible quarterbacks with a 71.9 passer rating and last with a 15.3 total QBR on the campaign. Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks has suggested on multiple occasions this month that he won't immediately play a healthy Mayfield again over either Sam Darnold or P.J. Walker.

There's no guarantee Rhule would be Carolina's coach today had he and the team's front office convinced Watson that the Panthers were a better option than the Browns. In August, Watson was handed an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions and, thus, wouldn't have been available for Rhule until late November.

It is, of course, possible that Rhule would've been given a pass in such a scenario due to his chosen quarterback being sidelined for a reason beyond his control.