CLEVELAND, Ohio. As the Browns continue to explore the possibility of a trade for Deshawn Watson, the quarterback faced the Saints and Panthers on Monday night, according to profootballnetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson.
Wilson reported that the meetings were attended by Saints coach Dennis Allen and Panthers coach Matt Rule, but he said other teams would follow. Meanwhile, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Texans turned down the Colts’ request to speak with Watson. The Texans are apparently reluctant to trade him for an AFC South teammate.
If the Browns decide to move forward, they will probably have to move quickly. The Saints and Panthers are bidding the Texans for three first-round picks. According to Jason Lacanfort of CBS Sports, Watson is cool about the Panthers, and the Carolinas needed to step up the advertising campaign. If true, the Saints are currently in the lead, but Watson will be open to other opportunities.
Again, the Browns have something to offer that most other teams don’t: a starting quarterback in Baker Mayfield. But they carefully check the situation before deciding whether to continue or not. Watson, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, will also have to agree to negotiate with the Browns, who traded the No. 12 pick in 2017 for the Texans rather than drafting him. The Texans also had to agree to let him talk to the AFC team.
This could be resolved soon if Watson decides he wants to play for the Saints, but until this is over, the Browns will continue to monitor his legal situation and decide if they are comfortable taking on such a contentious situation.
The Browns are not in the Allen Robinson draw.
Bears free wide receiver Allen Robinson was on the Browns’ radar heading to free agency, but not as much after they acquired four-time pro bowler Amari Cooper in a trade with the Cowboys.
Pro bowler of the year 2015, Robinson fits the bill, but the Browns wouldn’t want to pay both him and Cooper, whose $20 million salary is fully guaranteed on March 20.
Whatever the case, Cardinals free agent Christian Kirk has been getting $18 million a year from the Jaguars for four years, making Cooper’s deal a lucrative one. Kirk, who caught 77 passes for 982 yards and five touchdowns, has yet to make his first Pro Bowl.
Steelers find starting lineup again in Ohio
The Browns replaced Ohio native Ben Roethlisberger with another in Mitch Trubisky, who is from Mentor and was Ohio’s Mister of Football in 2012.
Trubisky, who backed Josh Allen last season, signed a two-year deal with the Steelers, presumably to be their starter. The Steelers still have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins, but Trubisky immediately jumps to the top of the depth table.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network revealed Trubisky’s deal was valued at $14.25 million (just over $7 million annually) with up to $27 million in incentives. This leaves the door open for the draft pick to start before him, and rewards him if he beats the rookie. By comparison, $7 million a year is about the same as Case Keenam’s salary, who was the Browns’ understudy. In this draft, the Steelers scrutinized quarterbacks like Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and Liberty’s Malik Willis.
The Browns, who had Trubisky as the top quarterback on their board in 2017, loved him but didn’t want to bring him in to compete with Baker Mayfield and didn’t see him as a clear upgrade. Since Teddy Bridgewater has signed with the Dolphins, there aren’t many backup options available to step in and get started as well.
Jarvis Landry sparks interest
According to multiple reports, Landry immediately caught the attention of teams like the Packers, Chiefs and Patriots on Monday after the Browns released him. Landry didn’t agree to the terms on Monday, but he has many suitors and will likely have a new home soon.
The Browns will continue
The Browns will continue to take steps on Tuesday and Wednesday to clear cap space before the start of the league season on Tuesday and Wednesday. Depending on Taven Bryan’s new protective gear (his one-year deal is up to $5 million), they have between $9 million and $10 million to spend and need to get more.
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