Browns, Falcons latest to join hunt for quarterback Watson
Two new bidders for Deshaun Watson emerged Tuesday, both surprises: Cleveland and Atlanta.
Each of those NFL clubs already has an entrenched veteran No. 1 quarterback — Baker Mayfield for the Browns, Matt Ryan for the Falcons. Each of those clubs, however, is reportedly set to meet separately with Watson today.
The reports were not immediately, vociferously denied by either club. Must be something to them, then. But, is the expressed interest in earnest?
In the Browns' case, surely. Yes, Mayfield was a walking injury clinic this past season. But in four seasons after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2018, he has only in rare spurts displayed the kind of elite talent that Watson, over his first four NFL seasons in Houston from 2017-20, regularly exhibited.
The cocky, outspoken Mayfield must be livid to have heard this news, especially as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery. But pressure is on the latest Browns football regime, especially head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is entering his third year under impatient owner Jimmy Haslam.
The Texans reportedly have set a trade floor of three firstround draft picks for Watson, a mountain of draft capital.
ESPN described the Falcons, meantime, as “a sleeper team” in the pursuit of Watson, who is seeking a trade partner on behalf of the Texans, after underscoring the intention he first expressed early last off-season that he'll never again play in Houston.
Watson is willing to waive the no-trade clause in the US$156-million contract extension he signed in September 2020 only for a club of his choice. The Texans have granted him permission to reach out to interested clubs, to help strike a deal.
On Monday, Watson met with the first two teams with confirmed interest: the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
Both of those clubs play in the NFC South division. Guess what other team does? The Falcons. Is the primary purpose of the Falcons' interest and involvement merely to drive the price up and hence further hamstring either the Saints or Panthers, should one of them land Watson? Maybe.
ESPN quoted a Falcons source as saying, “All options are open, but it's not going to be easy,” and another source depicted Atlanta's chances as a “long shot.”
Ryan has been Atlanta's No. 1 quarterback since 2008. He has thrown for at least 20 touchdowns in every season since 2009, and for at least 3,968 yards in every season since 2010.
Ryan turns 37 in May. Only days ago, Ryan agreed to renegotiate his contract to lower his 2022 cap hit, to $36.7 million. Most presumed it was to help the Falcons. Was it actually to make him a more appealing (or at least less cap-debilitating) trade target?
If the QB-desperate Indianapolis Colts are not seriously mulling acquiring Ryan, I'd be shocked.
As for Watson, we ought to know which is his new team before the coming weekend.
GREGORY CHANGES MIND
Reports Tuesday morning said edge rusher Randy Gregory had re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys, for $70 million over five years, with $28 million guaranteed. Those terms proved accurate. The team? Not so much.
Gregory did agree to return to the Cowboys for that amount, over that many years, but he changed his mind after the Cowboys reportedly attempted to backtrack on some fine print — so instead Gregory agreed to join the Denver Broncos for the same money.
OTHER DEALS
As for other free-agent agreements reached in principle on Tuesday — according to ESPN and NFL Network:
Denver landed former 49ers defensive tackle D.J. Jones ($30 million over three years).
The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with ex-Vegas wide receiver Zay Jones
($24 million over three years).
Baltimore took a step toward repairing its talent-short secondary by landing former Saints free safety Marcus Williams
($70 million over five years).
Detroit got Jacksonville wide receiver DJ Chark (one year for $10 million).
The New York Jets landed former Seattle cornerback D.J. Reed ($33 million over three years).
San Francisco wooed ex-Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward ($40.5 million over three years).
Minnesota landed ex-Bills defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.
Buffalo got former Carolina defensive tackle DaQuan Jones.