Many seem to blame Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson‘s fully guaranteed contract for some of the issues the Ravens have faced in attempting to extend Lamar Jackson, asserting that the Browns intended for this to be the outcome. Sunday, Terry Pluto of cleveland.com refuted that common assertion with a bit of reasoning.
Following Pluto’s logic, Cleveland extended several contract offers that were not fully guaranteed to Watson. In response, Watson was no longer considering the Browns as a potential suitor and seemed to be on a clear path to Atlanta. Watson had eliminated the Browns and Panthers the night before he eventually committed to Cleveland. The Browns, not ones to go down without a fight, reportedly committed to doing whatever it took to obtain the former Texans passer. Watson’s representation then took full advantage of their leverage, resulting in his current fully guaranteed deal. As Jackson attempts to secure guarantees in Watson’s neighborhood, no QB currently comes within $100MM of the sixth-year passer’s $230MM guarantee.
Here are a few other rumors concerning the Browns:
- Watson is set to give a deposition tomorrow regarding one of his alleged instances of sexual misconduct, according to Tom Wither of the Associated Press. In the Monday proceeding, Watson will be asked to provide “records of any communications” between himself and the plaintiff, who was not among the 24 women who settled their lawsuits with the Browns passer. Cleveland’s offseason program is set to begin just over a week from now.
- In a Q&A this morning, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com addressed a question about the Browns’ position needs when asked whether or not the team would pursue Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, should he be cut by Arizona. Cabot’s response indicated that the Browns are content with their wide receiver situation. The team returns Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, and Anthony Schwartz, among others, from last year’s group. The team also brought in Elijah Moore and Marquise Goodwin through free agency in an attempt to supplement the talent at the position. Additionally, Cleveland should finally get to debut Jakeem Grant in a Browns’ uniform after the return specialist sat out 2022 with a torn Achilles tendon.
That is not a list of WR’a in cleveland that shout out “we don’t need Hopkins” to me. Especially when he has that established chemistry with Watson who you gave everything to.
how many WR do they need?
Wouldn’t pay him much, with all the injuries, suspension, and his known aversion to practice.
Pay Lamar or rebuild your team!! Lamar shouldn’t take less because you have doubts. Market value is what it is and Cleveland knew exactly what they were doing. Well played!
Ravens used the cheapest tag that allowed Lamar to speak with other teams. I haven’t read 1 article anywhere saying Lamar either visited or was visited by 31 teams. He has no market. He’s been on the market for close to a month right?
This is all a joke. He’s expected to give his deposition and at worst throw a little money (little to him) and make it all go away. The 1% never go to jail ever. Marvin Harrison shoots a man in broad daylight, Kobe rapes a 19 year old… when does it end? These “superheros” really deserve much worse
You even forgot Roethlisberger
If I named them all I’d still be typing
Yeah, just didn’t want to leave the big guy out
Let’s hope the league suspends Watson again.
For what?