Sources - Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints to meet with QB Deshaun Watson in next 2 days

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, rivals in the NFC South, will meet with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson over the next 48 hours, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Watson would be a big upgrade for both teams. The Panthers aren't committed to Sam Darnold, who had a 4-7 record in 2021, as their starter for the 2022 season even though they are locked into him for about $18.9 million because of his fifth-year option.

The Saints still are trying to find a long-term replacement for Drew Brees, who retired after the 2020 season. They used four quarterbacks last season: Jameis Winston (5-2 before he tore an ACL), Taysom Hill (4-1), Trevor Siemian (0-4) and Ian Book (0-1).

Only Hill and Book remain under contract.

Several other teams reportedly are interested in Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who did not play last season while facing 22 civil suits and 10 criminal complaints alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct.

The number of teams pursuing Watson grew on Friday when a grand jury in Houston declined to indict Watson on the criminal charges, leaving the civil suits with accusations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions against the former Clemson star.

Among the other teams reportedly that have expressed interest are Cleveland, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Indianapolis.

Houston can agree to a trade at any time, but it could not be made official until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Panthers have been interested in Watson for over a year and were ready to make an «aggressive'' offer after Friday's grand jury proceedings, according to a league source.

They attempted to trade for Watson, 26, early last