USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Jan 21, 2022

There’s no hiding, despite any past attempts of it, the Carolina Panthers’ interest in Deshaun Watson. There’s also no hiding the bond between said quarterback and one of his longtime coaches. - That longtime coach is former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who had been with Watson from the very start of his professional career. Kelly, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Tuesday, has drawn interest from head coach Matt Rhule in his search for a new offensive coordinator. - Now, obviously, the links are being drawn. Could the Panthers eventually sway Watson over, with him waiving his no-trade clause in the process, after the possible hiring of Kelly as their play-caller? Well, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle believes that could happen. - In addition to his piece on the prospect, the longtime Texas scribe joined WFNZ’s The Clubhouse with Kyle Bailey this week to address the topic. - “So whoever gets Tim is getting a really good guy,” McClain said. “He is battle-tested, he’s been in the NFL—this’ll be his ninth year. I know Bill O’Brien thinks the world of him. If Bill O’Brien gets that Jacksonville job, Tim Kelly’s there. - “So if I’m the Panthers, and I’m sure Tim probably did a good job in his interview. He met with the media once every week for the last two years. He always did a good job with us. And there’s quite a few people who thought Tim, at some point, has got a chance to be a head coach.” - Kelly has served at a multitude of positions for the Texans since 2014—including as an offensive quality control coach, an assistant offensive line coach, the tight ends coach, the quarterbacks coach and as the offensive coordinator. Watson had a career year under Kelly in 2020, where he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions at a 70.2-percent completion rate. - Oh, and the talented (and legally embattled) quarterback won’t be adding on any more of those career years in Houston, at least according to McClain. - “Deshaun Watson will never take another snap here again and anybody you see that acts like that’s not true doesn’t know squat about what’s going on with this organization,” he added. “He will never play here again.” - Of course, there remain the 22 lawsuits alleging Watson of sexual misconduct and assault. So the 26-year-old’s football future may still not take another step until a resolution on that troubling matter is met. - - RelatedPep Hamilton may have turned Panthers down due to lack of stability - - RelatedJay Gruden getting second interview for Panthers' OC job - - List - - Panthers 2021 offensive coordinator search tracker - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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