The Cleveland Browns won’t win the Deshaun Watson trade sweepstakes. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Browns were told they are out of the running for the Houston Texans’ controversial and disgruntled QB. So, um, now what?
Browns miss out on Deshaun Watson
The Browns were part of a four-team race for Watson. The Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints of the NFC South are all still in the running as Watson’s time in Houston nears its end. According to New Orleans-based reporter Nick Underhill, and confirmed by Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson, the Saints and Watson had a second meeting on Wednesday night.
Now, the Browns, who are in a public war of words with incumbent QB Baker Mayfield, need to figure out where to go from here. According to Garafolo, the Browns still view Mayfield as their QB1. But ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Wednesday that the franchise planned to break up with Mayfield regardless of a Watson trade. Mortensen went as far as to say the Browns wanted an “adult” in the QB room.
What’s next for Baker Mayfield and the Browns
According to Wilson and PFN’s Tony Pauline, Mayfield would welcome a move to the Indianapolis Colts. However, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows has reported that the Colts have been focused on injured San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
If the Browns are to move on from Mayfield, they might find a small market for his services, especially because the former first overall pick is essentially on a one-year, $18.8 million contract thanks to his fifth-year option. If a team were to give up notable assets for Mayfield, they’d likely want to lock him up long-term, and a one-year deal would give the QB leverage in a negotiation.
Mayfield battled injuries throughout last season and drew the ire of fans and media for his lack of connection with WR Odell Beckham Jr., who left Cleveland midseason and helped the Los Angeles Rams win a Super Bowl in February.
The Browns quarterback could be a fallback plan for the teams who remain in the Watson hunt but fail to land the embattled star, who still faces 22 civil suits stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct. Cleveland isn’t likely to release Mayfield because his contract is fully guaranteed.
Mayfield sent the city of Cleveland a message on social media on Tuesday, essentially offering a premature goodbye to the Browns. That preemptive strike likely led to the Mortensen report on Wednesday, which seemed to point at Mayfield having maturity issues. Neither move will help Mayfield’s trade value.
The Browns might need to settle for a mediocre return for Mayfield, the most successful QB of the team’s second iteration, and start from scratch.
Who could replace Mayfield?
Well, the pickings are starting to get rather slim. The Browns could enter a two-team bidding war for Garoppolo, who has led the 49ers on two deep playoff runs, including a Super Bowl appearance. Or, the Browns could go the cheaper route and look to trade for an affordable veteran like Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Gardner Minshew, who is to make just $2.5 million this season.
The less likely scenario would involve the draft. The Browns own the 13th overall pick in the first round and could seemingly target prospects like Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral, or Liberty’s Malik Willis with their first selection.
The Browns are ready-made for a playoff run outside of the QB position, especially if they move on from Mayfield, so the veteran route is likely the way they will go. If a move isn’t made prior to April, then maybe the Browns go with a rookie.
Still, swinging and missing with Watson has left the Browns with very few cards to play. And while they’ve constructed a terrific roster, the QB spot is now a barren wasteland for talent. GM Andrew Berry is regarded as one of the smartest decision-makers in the league, and it will be on him to solve this very public problem in short order. Berry likely knew this could blow up in the Browns’ faces, so a Plan B is probably already being pursued.