According to David Newton of ESPN, the main contributing factor in Carolina dropping out of the conversation was the team failing to guarantee the third and fourth years of Watson’s contract.
Watson reportedly chose to take himself out of the running with Carolina due to this issue. His representatives called the Panthers on Thursday night to share the update.
Watson is owed $64 million total in his third and fourth years based on his current contract with the Texans, according to Spotrac.
In his third year, Watson would be 28. Newton reported that normally quarterbacks don’t get the fourth years of their deals guaranteed.