After visiting two NFC South rivals vying to trade for him, Deshaun Watson has a third team meeting lined up. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that the quarterback will sit down with the Browns today. 
[RELATED: Watson To Meet With Panthers, Saints]
Wilson adds that while New Orleans and Carolina have been at the forefront of pitching the three-time Pro Bowler to come to their respective clubs, Cleveland is amongst the others that are still interested. As he writes, the Browns “are not entirely sold on moving forward with Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback and have fielded exploratory trade calls”.
The only two teams known to have made trade offers for the 26-year-old are the aforementioned Saints and Panthers, but it was reported last week that Cleveland has been keeping a close eye on his legal situation. After trading the pick Houston used to draft Watson in 2017, the Browns were said to have “done their homework” on him, leaving open the possibility of a trade.
Mayfield is under contract for one more season, the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. It carries a value of $18.8MM and is fully guaranteed. While Cleveland has stated their intentions of keeping the former No. 1 pick recently, they are clearly willing to at least entertain the thought of adding an upgrade at the QB spot. Mayfield struggled throughout the 2021 campaign, playing through injury while the Browns fell well short of expectations. Nothing tangible would come from this meeting without Watson being willing to waive his no-trade clause, to say nothing of the trade compensation which the Texans would ask for to make a swap possible.
The Seahawks have also been named as a potential suitor for Watson now that the franchise needs a Russell Wilson replacement. For now, though, the list of teams willing to go as far as meeting in person with the embattled star has increased to three.
Ultimately I think Lynch and Shanahan emerge last minute to pitch San Francisco and Watson ends up a 49er as improbable as it may be.
They trade Lance the Lions for the #32 or #33 pick.
They trade Garapollo to the Colts.
Add those picks to a Watson deal
They have the pieces in place on offense with Kittle. Samuel. Aiyuk, and a stable of running backs.
Might never happen but Watson in Shanahans offense might be the missing piece to a superbowl.
Not sure of their cap situation atm.
They gave up to much for lance.
The only way a 49ers trace works is if lance is going back to the texans. Which honestly Lance and this years first is a great reset for texans might not get any better.
The Texans would have to truly believe Lance is the answer. They are getting offers of 3 first round picks and more. The Niners would probably have to give up more talent as well as picks.
The 49ers have no cap space at this time. They are at – 4 million. Ranked 26th in cap space.
and if you had bothered to do the math, if the 49ers moved the 2 QBs that were suggested, they would pretty much have all the cap space to bring in Watson
Browns interest in Watson shows they want to replace Mayfield. Whether they are able to acquire Watson or not they should move on from Mayfield NOW. Trade him to Indy or somewhere for whatever you can get for him. Don’t bring him back in walk year with the locker room a powder keg. If you need to take a step back to get QB in 23 draft donut. Don’t allow the powder keg to happen. Browns front office and head coach have moved on from Mayfield…
The Browns can’t afford to move on from Baker without getting a franchise QB in the process… Or did you forget about their QB history before he got there?
What a joke that he is going to dictate where he goes. He is under contract and granted has a no trade. I would trade him to team offering best deal. If Watson doesn’t like it sit another season and see how he likes it. After stuff he did he shouldn’t be in drivers seat. And no I don’t care about indictment. When you have 22 potential victims the guy has issues.
It’s a no trade clause in his contract
You can’t just trade him to anyone. Why would anyone give up 3 1st round draft picks for someone who won’t report?
Dam right. How is this predator dictating where he goes. NFL smh
That’s why it’s called a no trade clause. He can deny any trade no matter what Texans want to do he can say no if he don’t want to go any team he don’t want
Oh yeah I hope you had that same energy for when Ben drug them girls.
He’s not in the drivers seat. He has a say, but if the team he wants to go to proposes a crap offer he won’t be traded there. We are talking about grown ass adults, with millions of dollars on the line – it will end up being pretty fair to both Watson and Houston (won’t be for the team they trade him to).
It’s surprising how so many of you are completely unaware of how no-trade clauses work… Deshaun Watson *IS* in the driver’s seat. While the Houston Texans can field offers from all 31 other NFL teams, the trade is inevitably and unequivocally at Deshaun’s discretion. The Texans are on the hook for $35M next year whether he rides the bench or not. Next year, there is no guaranteed money left on his contract, but he has a $17M roster bonus, and if you don’t pay it, he becomes a free agent. Would you rather trade him for a 2nd round pick now? or pay $35M for nothing?
I know exactly how a No-trade clause works. It’s crazy that people like yourself think he holds all the cards because he can veto a trade. The Texans don’t have to trade him. When he refuses to play he doesn’t get paid. He has a say, but he doesn’t control the situation. If he isn’t traded and refuses to play the contract goes to court, which means he wouldn’t be getting paid while the Texans would still own his rights.
Personally, I wouldn’t want my team to touch him with a ten-foot pole, but he’s got a contract and we are supposed to be a nation of laws, so he gets to decide to whom he can be traded, and it’s you who will just have to see how you like it.
I would like to see their “homework “ on Watson. Are the civil suits going away? No league suspension?
What happened to Watson “Will not approve a trade to any place other than the Saints or Panthers”? He will go wherever and be glad he has a job.
If Watson only approves one team then it’s a conundrum for Houston. Since that team will only be bidding against itself draft capital can be minimal. Otherwise, Houston pays Watson 35 Million.
And if he refuses to play, the Texans will owe nothing. What you are wanting to happen will not happen. The team that gets him is going to pay a king’s ransom.
He will be more than willing to play knowing Houston does not want him, just like last year. They haven’t even ASKED him to play. Remember – he even participated in training camp. Houston said you do not have to play and we will still pay you. He will pick a team, say no to any others. Houston will be forced to take what it can get or pay him 35 million 😉
Houston is screwed.
That’s not true. He met with Culley prior to the season and said he wasn’t going to play. It is very easily researched. It will be a huge trade, in which the only team getting screwed will be the one having to give up that much.
Hmm, Time will tell 🙂
The Browns after Watson goes to CAR or NO:
“Baker, what’s up, Man? Listen, just wanted to give you a call to let you know that you were our guy the whole time.”
I’d take Baker over a guy who was tried legally for 22 public complaints and feels he deserves an apology. The rhetoric around Watson sucks. I’m glad he’s not playing for my team calling him “champion”. Ugh. I *love* how the NFL dejects one double-standard and embraces another.
Browns have made there decision on Mayfield by getting involved in the Watson sweepstakes. If they don’t get Watson. They need to trade Mayfield and either pick QB with 13thboickbirnstart trading picks and players to load up on picks for 2923 draft and make sure you are as bad as possible… Hopefully Watson wants to play in Cleveland… If not, a rebuild is coming..