How Falcons signing former Perry star Casey Hayward could impact Deshaun Watson trade

The Atlanta Falcons have reached a deal with former Perry standout and Houston County native Casey Hayward after he spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 32-year-old played in all 17 games for the Raiders in 2021 and finished with one interception. Hayward has been in the NFL for 10 seasons, playing for the Raiders, the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Chargers.

It is a two-year deal worth $11 million. Hayward played football in college at Vanderbilt and finished as a second-team All-SEC member in 2011.

Hayward joins a secondary that includes All-Pro A.J. Terrell. The Falcons are reportedly engaged in trade talks to bring in Atlanta native Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. Terrell has been rumored as a potential piece in the deal which could elevate Hayward’s position on the team.

Watson, a former Pro Bowl quarterback, didn’t play at all in 2021 after more than a dozen women game forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Last week, a grand jury declined to indict Watson in connection with the allegations, clearing the way for a potential trade. He still faces multiple civil lawsuits.