Deshaun Watson Surprise; He Joins The Browns!
March 18th, 2022
Baker Mayfield is sacked and the NFC South is spared Deshaun Watson.
What a great day for Bucs fans!
Not only did Tampa Bay sign a potent veteran safety/nickel cornerback, now the NFC South quarterbacks after Tom Brady are sucky Sam Darnold of the Panthers, good-but-not-what-he-used-to-be Matt Ryan of the Falcons, and terrible Taysom Hill in New Orleans.
(Yeah, the Saints might go with Jameis Winston, but he may not be recovered from ACL surgery to start the season.)
After many reports of sleazy, massage-loving quarter Deshaun Watson deciding between the Saints and Falcons, now he’s officially going to the Browns on a “fully guaranteed” five-year contract for a whopping $230 million.
That’s $42 million per season! But the guaranteed part is what’s most wild. That just doesn’t happen in the NFL, though perhaps it does when there’s huge demand for a young quarterback’s services.
Keep in mind Tom Brady, if he doesn’t restructure his contract, will bank only about $10 million this season.
Cleveland coughed up three first-round picks, a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder for Watson.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
I heard some free agents were still considering the Saints but were waiting to see if DeShawn was there 1st. Now those guys will be going elsewhere as well.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Browns be Browns
This is not going to go well for them
March 18th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
What an absolutely fantastic off season. It just gets better every single day.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
We’ll still have to face him this year. But at least it won’t be a twice/year thing.
Man, the Browns are simply going to Brown. They looked so good two years ago.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Heck yeah
March 18th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
3 firsts and a 3rd and a 5th………hhmmm
March 18th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
BAAHAAAHAAA!….
Now the Saints, Falcons and Panthers left in dismay, rejected for THE BROWNS! LoL
March 18th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
I’m going to so enjoy listening to Falcons and Saints podcasts where they’re just crying.
Apparently, and I didn’t know this before, Winston actually rejected a contract offer from the Saints earlier this offseason. Likely, I’d assume, he’ll end up there – but it’s interesting that he turned them down already.
Hopefully the Falcons just burned their bridges with Ryan and he throws a fit – that would be amazing. I mean I don’t think the Falcons, with no WR’s, is a threat in the NFC South, but I’ll take the free square any day of the week.
What an amazing week this has been. Just a week ago the talk was about ‘Tanking with Trask’, maybe getting the #1 pick in the 2023 draft, seeing all our FA’s leave, and the Saints perhaps getting Watson and dominating the division for the next decade… now, 6 days later, it’s a totally different world.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Lmao Falcons and Aints THOUGHT they were going to get him oh sweet sweet payback !
March 18th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Brady called Watson & sold him on the Browns.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Now trade Baker to Seattle & I will be even happier
March 18th, 2022 at 4:21 pm
The flip side of Watson not oing to the Aint’s or Falcons…the draft capital either team would have had to give up may have set both back for several years.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Hah! I knew he wouldn’t go to the Saints or Falcons. I’m on a roll this month!
Before my luck runs out, I predict the Bucs win the superbowl!
March 18th, 2022 at 4:23 pm
While I never talk hockey, there was a huge trade for the Lightning who sent two 1st for and two players to the Blackhawks for Brandon Hagel!
So let me be the first to say it…
LETS GO BRANDON!
March 18th, 2022 at 4:23 pm
$42 mill / year for a QB who has never won anything? I’d pay the GOAT that much, but not many other QB’s. Hope it’s worth it to you, Browns. WOW.
I hope us Bucs fans truly realize how special having Brady is, especially (!) at his very low salary.
Let’s go Bucs! Let’s stomp the NFL this year, Browns included. đ
March 18th, 2022 at 4:23 pm
That is a Crap load of both picks and money, no way I would do that deal.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
Now Baker wants to play for the Colts. Happy Days.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:26 pm
I wonder how Matty Ice feels about all this..
If the rumors are true the Falcons were ready to move on from Ryan and it was very public.
Perhaps $40M or so might make him feel better. lol
March 18th, 2022 at 4:27 pm
PS: Don’t forget there is still the specter of a potential suspension for Watson. What a risky move.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:29 pm
@ D-Rok
Your right. Holy smokes. The Browns are desperate as hell to find their franchise QB.
I think Baker was the best QB the Browns have had since Bernie Kosar…
March 18th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
What a week! Another gift under the tree!
Canât wait to hear saints fans on this site today!
March 18th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
46 mil a season.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Everyone is leaving the NFC as they know Brady wants a SB
March 18th, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Talk about giving up the farm. Dam
March 18th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Amazing how many morons in here don’t think a franchise QB for the next decade is worth pretty much any price. They’re the same idiots, if presented with two options, a pile of a million dollars, or a roll of lottery tickets, would take the roll of lottery tickets and then tell you how brilliant they are since they got a chance to win a lot more than a million dollars…
Just low football-IQ dopes, the kind that think you win in 2022 by running the ball up the middle and playing good defense. LOL!
March 18th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Ah man. Such great news. Watson stays in AFC
And that money is crazy for guaranteed money
Good riddance sp**ge boy
Now saints will sign jameis for like 7 mil would be my guess. And saints will implode by next year with kicking can down road more then any other team for years. 75 mil over cap to make run at watson
The top free agent from saints Left tackle was waiting on saints to see if they got watson. He is good as gone now. He will get 20 mil from someone. Maybe dolphins.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Lmao the rest of the NFC South is in shambles. The Saints really created all that extra cap space for nothing
March 18th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Iâd be really surprised if Watson isnât suspended for at least 3 games. Thereâs just no way he doesnât get a few games at least and it really wouldnât surprise me to see more with the number of accusations and him taking the 5th for so many questions.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Just low football-IQ dopes, the kind that think you win in 2022 by running the ball up the middle and playing good defense. LOL!
Agree.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Great day!!! hahaha 𤣠more like itâs been two great years with a third one on the way! Donât take these times for granted Bucs fans. We almost went back into obscurity if it werenât for the best leader to ever step foot on an nfl field. Thank you Goat for giving us fans something to be excited about again. Itâs was a long miserable decade.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Youâd have to pay me $230M to live in Cleveland, too.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Franchise QB is worth 5 firsts. Brady if you knew his talent level was worth at least 10 firsts picks and Bill himself wasted over 10 over drafting guys in round one over the past 19 drafts or trading from the round.
If Watson can perform at the level of Rodgers Brady or Mahones deal is cheap.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Leopold Stotch/BuccaneerButters Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
What an absolutely fantastic off season. It just gets better every single day.
____________________________________________________
Yup. Quite the incredible turnaround from where things seemed to be just 2 weeks ago.
At this point you’d have to think the Bucs, Rams and Niners are prob the top contenders in the NFC.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
There is one happy saints fan out there.
Ndog aka saintsfan59 just got a chubby knowing his boo is likely going back to saints
March 18th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Now the Saints can go trade for Baker-Bwhuhahahahah!
March 18th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Just based on his Houston performance he was average till 2020 then became very very good, but his team still lost most their games and he put up top 5 production in 2020.
Kinda like Herbert in 2021 but he nearly made playoffs
March 18th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
So what if he is suspended for 4-8 games. He is there for probably the next decade you LOONS!!! What is 4-8 games compared to 10 years? The guy was a top 5 qb prior to last year. He completes almost 70% of his passes with 104 tds and 36 ints and he has rushed for 17 tds. He is a 3 time pro bowler in 4 years. How can some of you be so slow? Thank the football gods he did not decide on new orleans
March 18th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
LOL.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
YASSSSSSS!!!!! Touchdown
March 18th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Great. The Munch Man is channeling Ndog now.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Wow, that’s awesome.
I really thought he was going to Atlanta.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
I wonder if getting Mayfield as an understudy to Brady would be worth jt?
March 18th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Is the answer to how in the world do the entire NFL reporting landscape state and proclaim its strictly Falcons and Saints (on top of the fact that a report said the âBrowns were informed they are out of the running forâ Watson)âŚ.and then it ends up being the Browns?
Whatâs up w/ all the faulty reporting this year? The Brady wonât play for BA, the BA redlining a game plan of TB and BLâs, the Watson stuff, the Brady retirement/un-retirement, only play for the 49ers BS, etc. etc.
Seems the âsourcesâ are playing the game more now and bait is being fed to catch the (fish) traitors, whistleblowers and leaks more than it ever has. The amount of faulty, completely baseless and nonsensical reporting this year is standing out more than most. IMO
March 18th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
No wonder why Giselle wants Tommy to quot, he’s getting f@#ked. At this point the only real competition in the NFC is the Rams.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Baker is asking to be traded to the Colts…
I see that working out. The Colts have a solid defense and a great running game.
Baker would do OK in Indy.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
@Rod,
To a point, I agree – a team must get a franchise QB. This is why the Pats, for 20 years, were geniuses for having the GOAT on their team to the tune of 6 (that is SIX!) SB wins. It’s also why the Bucs are likewise geniuses to have Brady for pennies on the dollar compared to the deal for Watson. I just push-back a bit to the terms of Watson’s deal and not necessarily to getting Watson. I think the Browns are out of their collective minds to pay that much for only player, and not be sure if he will even play this year. But, I’m no billionaire owner, so what does my opinion mean? LOL
March 18th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
Perfect example of why Tom Brady keeps winning Super Bowls and teams like the Browns, and QBâs like Aaron Rodgers, keep failing.
You love to see it
March 18th, 2022 at 4:50 pm
New England Patriots Fan Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 4:43 pm
Just based on his Houston performance he was average till 2020
———
His QBR for 2017 was an insane 83.5, then 2018 was 61.8, in 2019 was 70.5 and in 2020 was 63.7…
Brady, who should have been the MVP last season, had a QBR of 68.1, and in 2020 had a QBR of 66.0. Brady’s only season with a QBR better than Watson’s rookie year was 2007, when he had an unbelievable 87.0…
There’s more to football than stats, but QBR, as opposed to the old QB rating system, is actually a great way to judge guys since it takes into account when they made plays and turnovers, etc. Going by QBR, Watson is a top top player, and the Bucs dodged a huge bullet by having him not coming into the NFC South.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Part of me wishes he was signed by the Saints……3 1s, a 3rd & 5th & $42 mil for 5 years……all it takes is one therapi$t with a video and he’s down the tubes.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:53 pm
WHO’S LEFT FOR NOLA AND CAR?
Baker
Winston
Garoppolo
March 18th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
D-Rok – The Browns, with Watson, assuming something doesn’t happen to him, will be a franchise QB for at least the next decade. It’s a town that’s best QB has been who, Bernie Kosar? It’s huge for them – and they now automatically become a legit SB contender assuming Watson plays all year. With that running game they have, and you got a top QB, they’re going to be a very very difficult team to play against for a very very long time.
That is worth pretty much any price. They dumped that puke Mayfield who isn’t very good, and now they got a legit chance to win a SB. To me, if I’m them, giving up some future late round 1st rounders, where you got like a 60% bust rate, is nothing for opening up what might be a decade run where you got a chance to win every year.
As for the Bucs, of course getting Brady was brilliant – but we only got him because other teams thought he was washed up and the owner, not Bill, but the owner, gave Brady the ability to get out of his deal. IF Brady was under contract, and everyone knew they were getting the Brady we got, even being much older, he’d have demanded a package similar to this – and as Bucs fans, we’d have gladly paid it.
March 18th, 2022 at 4:57 pm
check your math, Joe.
That’s $46 million per!
(but $4 million is a rounding error the way teams are throwing around $$)
March 18th, 2022 at 4:58 pm
First off, nice one #8
Secondly, as a Bucs fan I can’t blame another team for “swinging for the fences” and going all-in to get a Super Bowl. That said, the repercussions of this if it doesn’t go well isn’t 2 or 3 years of damage… it’s 5!! A 5 year fully guaranteed commitment, which includes no 1st round picks for the next 3 years (you know this is a team sport, right), just sounds like a really high risk, high reward scenario that has maybe a <15% chance of working.
Lastly, don't pretend like the off-the-field stuff won't have an impact on their Season tickets. Yes, many will join because of Watson, but there will also be long-time ticket holders who will say "I'm not keeping my tickets for the next 5 years after point the finger at how horrible teams were for keeping Big Ben, Jameis Winston, etc.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
This was a good deal for the Browns, who will get some draft picks back, when they trade Baker Mayfield.
Both Indy and Seattle really need a QB, and both are loaded with draft picks!
Baker Mayfield is the last remaining big name QB left, with at least 6 QB desperate teams who will be bidding for his services.
3 of those teams are in the NFC South!
However, I don’t think the 3 NFC South Teams will be able to match the offers of either Seattle or Indy. But you never know ?
March 18th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
and that’s the reason Cleveland is irrelevant for bad front office
March 18th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
And people wonder why the Browns have been toilet water for the last 35 years. What a mistake.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Wow. With the resources that it wouldâve taken and certain suspension for Watson, it probably wouldnât have been good for the NFC South teams in the 2022 season, anyway. Long term, yes.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
Super impressed how fast you got this out Joe, first place I saw it
March 18th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Cleveland Browns doing Cleveland browns thingsâŚ..
March 18th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Ain’ts, Puddy Tats, and Buzzards. ROFL. Brady will put er on cruise control to the playoffs.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Lars, you beat me to it. Irrelevant To the story, I know, but caught my eye.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
Is Mons Venus opening a new location in Cleveland?
March 18th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Ba4president what the he11 are you talking about? The steelers lost ZERO support due to big ben. You better believe if the browns win a lot, ticket sales will not be a problem. To suggest as much is just plain dumb. For the very small amount who may turn in their tickets, there will be 30 times more lined up to buy them. This is a country who elected a man for president who had 20+ sexual alligations and was caught on tape bragging about grabbing them by the p……y. Stop the stupid.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
@ Rod,
You make good points, and I can see your point-of-view, at least from the Browns’ angle – they are desperate. But tell me, before Brady was signed by the Bucs, would you have been “happy” with the compensation given to Watson, if the Bucs used that formula to get Brady? I am not sure ANY team should completely sack their roster for 1, albeit excellent, player. I guess that’s my point. Time shall see how this works out for the Browns as I concede they currently have a roster ready to contend if only they had an elite QB1. Let’s hope for Browns fans that Watson actually plays this year. But look out for the Browns next year, methinks. Good comments bro Rod.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Bucs play the Browns this year. We shall clobber him.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
In either rate, the Bucs ARE SB contenders again this year!!! I’m so excited. That was a rough 40 days in the desert.
GO BUCS!!
March 18th, 2022 at 5:30 pm
Browns were team best positioned to contend. Mayfield was nearing the end of his deal so they were at a minimum factoring in the cost of the tag, maybe an extension, from a cap perspective they shouldn’t have to rearrange too much and won’t eat much dead money on Mayfield. I was certain Atlanta was going to get him, he would be a superstar in that city but competitively they seemed in the worst shape.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Here is what we know for certain…..
The Browns gave up 3 1st round picks, a 3rd & 5th & have guaranteed Watson $230 guaranteed over 5 years (try restructuring that)…
What we don’t know for certain is exactly how Watson will perform, his NFL suspension status…..or his future behavior.
I do fell quite certain that there is a pretty strong morals clause in his contract.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Guarantee’s are probably voided in the event of a suspension.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
The news just keeps getting better.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
If he even plays this year following the settlement of his lawsuits the league will suspend him. The only question is how long of a suspension. Not to mention the Bad Karma associated with this whole sex scandal. It will be fun watching what happens with the Browns after all the dust settles on this.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
What a bunch of fools. Enjoy his 1-2 record in the playoffs. And hide y’ kids, hide y’wife…
Cleveland had a very fleeting moment where they looked like they were getting their act together… and then it all comes tumbling down.
They may want him to be Tom Brady, or Matt Stafford, but they’re going to find out he ain’t. I could be wrong but remember your mom’s words…
March 18th, 2022 at 5:38 pm
If Watson faces suspension, we might not play against him in the regular season.
March 18th, 2022 at 5:44 pm
Deshaun Watson: PFF grades and rank since 2017
Season Dropbacks PFF Grade
2020 656 92.5
2019 691 82.7
2018 685 80.9
2017 241 68.1
I based it off PFF and he basic stats, he was average 2017 to 2019 but in 2020 he must have got a bunch of pandemic garbage stats as he was high in yards and TD
2020
HOU
4,823 Y
33 TD
7 INT
112.4
March 18th, 2022 at 5:45 pm
What could possibly go wrong with a fully guaranteed contract for this guy? Guessing this deal won’t age well!
March 18th, 2022 at 5:47 pm
Is AB headed to Cleveland?
March 18th, 2022 at 5:49 pm
Joe, I’m a public school guy but I can use a calculator… DW is getting $46M year, not $42M
March 18th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
“Brady called Watson & sold him on the Browns.” lol #8!
March 18th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
webster Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Ba4president what the he11 are you talking about? The steelers lost ZERO support due to big ben. You better believe if the browns win a lot, ticket sales will not be a problem. To suggest as much is just plain dumb. For the very small amount who may turn in their tickets, there will be 30 times more lined up to buy them. This is a country who elected a man for president who had 20+ sexual alligations and was caught on tape bragging about grabbing them by the pâŚâŚy. Stop the stupid.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Webster: Blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine!
Also Webster: Fully supportive of any politician thatâs been accused of the same things, as long as heâs âon Websterâs sideâ. đ
March 18th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Cleveland got played. They arenât good enough to lose 3 first, plus some. The only thing they have going for them is AFC North is the most overrated division in football for last 10 years. Donât think there will be HAPPY ENDING in Cleveland.
March 18th, 2022 at 6:33 pm
Well we dodged a bullet with Watson not coming to our division. I think he will bounce back very well when he gets back on the field. We should win our division this year, poor Matty ice has no one to throw to and the Saints and Panthers will be pitiful. If we can stay healthier than last year things look good for our Bucs.
March 18th, 2022 at 6:36 pm
Wow, with that contract the massage girls in Cleveland have to be working on their hand muscles. Great tips and keep quiet money all over the place. A happy ending for everyone, Watson’s cuming to town!!!
March 18th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Rod Munch Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Amazing how many morons in here donât think a franchise QB for the next decade is worth pretty much any price. Theyâre the same idiots, if presented with two options, a pile of a million dollars, or a roll of lottery tickets, would take the roll of lottery tickets and then tell you how brilliant they are since they got a chance to win a lot more than a million dollarsâŚ
Just low football-IQ dopes, the kind that think you win in 2022 by running the ball up the middle and playing good defense. LOL!
……………………
Dude GET A GRIP!!!! A “Franchise QB”????? He SINGLEHANDEDLY SUNK the Texans!!! “Franchise QB”?????? Just stop it now!. You usually post some good stuff but this take is just STUPID!!!!
March 18th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Yes, Watson is a franchise QB. The Browns may have given up too much to build a team around him, but the dude is a talent that is right there with Allen, Mahomes and the other top guns in the AFC. I’m thrilled he’s with Cleveland. Would not want to see that guy twice a year after we just got rid of Brees, Ryan is getting old and Cam got old. Our defense just got better by subtraction without chasing Watson around. The schedule was already difficult enough with a bad division.
March 18th, 2022 at 6:56 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Suckit Aints and dumb birds fans.
March 18th, 2022 at 7:09 pm
i’m not surprised at all…and baker says they have the best table showers in that neck of the woods too…
#ReliefAndRelaxationNearTheDoggPound đ
March 18th, 2022 at 7:14 pm
Thank goodness Brady came back and we dodged that mess.
March 18th, 2022 at 7:19 pm
View from 132 Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Yes, Watson is a franchise QB.
……….
Dude what can make you ‘ass’ume that he is a franchise QB?
Did he win a SB? How many playoff games has he won? A lot less than the amount of Sex crime charges I imagine. Dude signed a Huge contract and then refused to play. P.O.S. lesser man. Non Leader!
You would follow this guy into a foxhole? Jeeeesh. He has proven Nothing.
March 18th, 2022 at 7:35 pm
Webster: How do I know this about you? Because you fail to mention any accusations about the CURRENT GUY.
March 18th, 2022 at 7:48 pm
“Yup. Quite the incredible turnaround from where things seemed to be just 2 weeks ago”
2 weeks? More like 6 days!
March 18th, 2022 at 7:51 pm
If Brady decided to stay retired there is no way the bucs were going to be in on that contract is insane.
March 18th, 2022 at 8:01 pm
That’s why they brown uniforms…ugh
March 18th, 2022 at 8:02 pm
suit up in ..
March 18th, 2022 at 8:02 pm
The Brownâs GM has lost his mind. This is total insanity and spells more disaster for them. Ridiculous bounty and stupid salary. Lovie Smith will screw the pooch and waste the pics until he gets fired again. He is seriously a box of rocks, but a really nice guy though. Tom Brady saved us đ
March 18th, 2022 at 8:10 pm
The last time we played Watson in 2019 sacked him ( times with 1 interception. If it wasnât for Winston throwing 4 picks we would have kicked their collective ass!
March 18th, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Sacked him 5 times ^^^^
March 18th, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Tom Brady is severely underpaid
March 18th, 2022 at 8:29 pm
Woulda preferred him in the NFC south handcuffing a rival with that ransom and salary. Browns just put themselves in trouble
March 18th, 2022 at 8:34 pm
bucschamp
No heâs not. Brady takes less money so his team can afford to put championship talent around him and he wins rings. Winning rings makes him more famous. More fame leads to more endorsements and business opportunities. His dad, Brady Sr., is a billionaire (not millionaire, BILLIONAIRE) and Iâm sure the apple didnât fall far from the tree.
Brady is a genius.
March 18th, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Rod Munch … ‘Amazing how many morons in here donât think a franchise QB for the next decade is worth pretty much any price. Just low football-IQ dopes, the kind that think you win in 2022 by running the ball up the middle and playing good defense. LOL!’
Sometimes you amaze me Rod. A franchise QB guarantees you absolutely nothing without a strong team around him, on BOTH offense AND defense. Rams went all-in this past season in getting Stafford, but guess what won them the Super Bowl. Yup, their defense allowing only 75 points total in 4 playoff games. Do you honestly believe that the Rams would beaten the 49ers 20-17 without a dominant defense? Or beat the Bengals 23-20 with that same dominant defense? Bengals have their franchise QB; and yet they only scored 20 pts.
Even our Bucs had Tom Brady, best franchise QB of all-time. And yet the Rams defense held our offense to less than a TD until the end of the 3rd qtr. Green Bay has had their franchise QB for many years now. How many Super Bowls has he won? Same with Seattle & Russell Wilson? How many SBs has he won since 2013 (Seattle’s last SB)? There are no guarantees no matter how much you pay a franchise QB. They NEED a decent TEAM around them to succeed. And guess what, that costs $$$ AND is impacted greatly by draft success. BOTH of those Cleveland just flushed down the toilet for Deshaun Watson.
March 18th, 2022 at 8:55 pm
Defense Rules keep in mind how awful our OL was though in that rams game. Missing godwin and our pro bowl right tackle. Anyway the bucs havenât done anything with this DL right now. Our defense is still our Achilles heal. Letâs see if there any improvements in 2022.
March 18th, 2022 at 8:55 pm
The reality is that you need:
– A franchise QB
– Some weapons for said QB
– A good, if not great defense
– And some luck
… to win a Super Bowl.
Simple as that.
March 18th, 2022 at 9:02 pm
Dante Fowler to the cowboys. Another DL player off the board.
March 18th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
SufferingSince76 Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 4:41 pm
Youâd have to pay me $230M to live in Cleveland, too.
***********************************************************
Can’t find anything to disagree with here!
Except maybe it wouldn’t be enough.
I’m predicting that even without the clause, he will be completely un-tradeable for the next 5 years.
And it is my opinion that the Brownies have taken a real big bite of something commonly found around the dog pound and it’s going to leave a bad taste in their mouths for a looooong time to come.
March 18th, 2022 at 9:08 pm
Brilliant article. Maybe I am biased because I was scared to death the Bucs would sign him. So Cleveland now has a cross between Bill Cosby and Antonio Bryant. Have used up most of their cap money to chase free agents and killed their drafts for years to come for a great college and mediocre NFL player. Heâll never have a teammate that trusts him as a person so he canât be a great leader either. In recent years Browns fans had one thing to look forward to : the NFL draft. Now they dumped that off on a guy who will probably outdo AB by leaving the Jets game doing jumping jacks without pants rather than a jersey. This wouldâve been perfect if he went to the Saints for our benefit. Even if he turns out to be good, why gamble an entire franchise on someone youâd never introduce to your sister.
March 18th, 2022 at 9:15 pm
They said if we give you over 200 mill would you take it in the Brown?
March 18th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
I wouldn’t have been too worried about De22 if he had signed with either Falcons or Saints, but this is hilarious news.
Saints will still make a move. I am guessing Matt Ryan will stay with ATL, unless this entire thing has pissed him off and he asks to be traded.
Baker Mayfield in play. Will he go to…the Seahawks?
We are fortunate beyond words that Brady came back. Look at the riches he brings. Bucs in the driver’s seat again.
If he had not—-we would be here right now sweating over trying to land Matt Ryan or one of the long list of mediocres, De22 (Joe would) or Mayfield.
March 18th, 2022 at 9:41 pm
This offseason has been shockingly fortuitous for the Bucs– both things related directly to the team and things they have no control over (Watson choosing the Browns, Davante Adams going to Vegas).
March 18th, 2022 at 9:58 pm
D-Rok Says:
March 18th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
@ Rod,
I am not sure ANY team should completely sack their roster for 1, albeit excellent, player. I guess thatâs my point.
—————–
You make a fair point, but it’s not a roster they sacked, they gave up 5 lottery tickets, and only 3 of those have good odds to hit on anything. You rarely hit on players after the first two rounds, so the 3rd and 5th (I think that was the other two picks) are almost surely not going to amount to anything. So now you got 3 first rounders – go review the Browns 1st rounders for the last decade, it’s not good. But lets say they beat the odds and hit on 66% of their 1st rounders, that means in this deal, they’re getting probably 2 good players, and maybe 1 depth player. To me, I’d going that deal 100 out of 100 times.
Now if the Texans, with Lovie Smith as head coach find you, hit on all 5 picks, get a couple of all-pro players, another pro-bowler, and 2 more starters, then sure – they’ll look great. But that’s incredibly unlikely. The Browns, meanwhile, they’re relevant for the next half-decade – or at least they have about as sure of a thing as you can get in the NFL.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Rod
Houston was not relevant with Watson. He has a 1-2 playoff record and the last time he played a full season he went 4-12. Thatâs not a knock on his ability. Heâs a very very VERY talented QB, but how are they going to build around him with no draft capital and giving away $46 million a year?
Remember, the Bucs donât win the Super Bowl without Brady. But Brady wasnât the real Super Bowl MVP that game. The defense that decimated the best offense in the NFL was. And the Bucs wouldnât have had that team if they had given up the kingâs ransom Cleveland just gave up. Brady is not, and has never been, paid $230 million for a reason.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:34 pm
The browns had a pretty stacked roster. Good line and solid run game and pretty outstanding defense. The lack maybe some receivers but they could resign one and others. And this draft is good in receiver. Thats about it
Smart move by him
Just goad he is out of nfc. Hope he sucks honestly. The dude is one sick individual. That guy does not deserve 230 million for what he lambasted on those women. But hey thats the world we live in today. And you know what i mean.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:35 pm
This is such a Browns move. Watch him fail at QB after being mentally drained from his legal issues and watch him be 2nd guessed because nobody believes it didn’t happen.
Browns curse. They have screwed their franchise over 1 guy.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Baker gonna baker honestly itâs for the best he will be tradedâŚ. Tampa wasnât far from those shoes then better surroundingsâŚ. He isnât Tom but but better surroundings but before more commercials!
March 18th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
I wish the Falcons or Saints would have gotten Watson. He is not a winner , look at Houstonâs record before Watson and after he became the starter. Exactly the same. The guy puts up lots of yards like Jameis, out of world QBR, but is not a winner. Also, he would have sunken their cap space for years and also screwed up their draft picks for years. Cleveland unfortunately will rue the day they signed this guy.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
The Browns do have a great team though on paper. You never know. Even if he manages to win 1 SB in during this contract, it will be worth it to Browns fans. I guess years of drafting crappy QBs like Tim Couch and Deshone Kizer will do this to you. Baker is not a bust yet, he just needs better coaching.
They need more WRs though. I don’t know why you get Cooper and drop Landry. Woulda made sense, if you had the money, to keep both.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
Man, Baker Mayfield was not what was wrong with the Browns. When they kept him upright, he was a good qb, no t he best but the kid gave it 110% everytime he played. I still remember the look on his face when the Bucs beat them in OT on that 59 yard FG. Now they have no draft picks for the foreseeable future with many holes to fill. Watson maybe a good qb, so the pundits say but weren’t the Texans 4-12 in his last season? I hope Mayfield ends up Seattle with Pete Carroll or in Indy, definitely do not want him playing for the Saints.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:42 pm
I wouldnt pay anyone $230 million dollars. And apparently the Panthers and Falcons also said no. So don’t try to sit there and claim any other team would spend that money and those picks for a “franchise QB” who’s last season he played was 4-12. No other team in the league would make this deal. That’s what makes it insane.
And people can keep saying the Browns are a contender all they want. But I’d put money on the Browns not making the Super Bowl. The AFC is loaded. And I’d put several teams ahead of the Browns right now. And because of this contract and trading away all their picks, they will struggle to get much better than what they are today.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:44 pm
Buc4evr, I am worried the Saints may make a play for Mayfield and then Mayfield may actually play well for them so I just hope the Brownies ship him off to Seattle or Indy. I guess the Texans did not want Mayfield else he could have been included in that trade package in lieu of the 3rd round pick or something to that effect. Lovie must be being Lovie again, relying on the kid they have already or has scouted someone in the draft or he plans a full tank like he did in Tampa to get Winston.
March 18th, 2022 at 10:45 pm
My comment waiting but boomer!
March 18th, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Mike Ditka is the Browns GM? Who knew?
March 18th, 2022 at 11:41 pm
Thats just stupid. They are giving Watson 20 percent of this years cap fully guaranteed. I can’t even imagine what they were thinking.
March 19th, 2022 at 12:27 am
Very happy that Watson is not going to the Saints. The Saints have been a well run team and a thorn in the side of my Bucs for many years now.
The NFL is a QB league, but if you donât have the ability to acquire talent to support an elite QB, then that QB will never help your team realize the dream of winning a Super Bowl.
If you put Patrick Mahomes or TB12 on the Detroit Lions right now and have them play with the Lions roster as it exits today, Patrick Mahomes nor TB12 are winning a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl teams are built through the draft, smart FA acquisition and smart salary cap strategy.
The Chiefs and Bucs have been built those ways. So have the Patriots.
If you are unbalanced in the draft by not having picks or missing on picks your team will struggle.
If youâre unbalanced on FA and overpay and hurt your cap or sign guys that are failures for your team then your team will struggle.
You need to be balanced and successful in the draft, free agency and salary cap for your team to be successful over the long term.
The Browns have lost draft picks. That hurts a team that needs 54 football players to play for it.
The Browns canât afford to pay 2 Qbâs on their roster close to $60 million of the salary cap. It is highly unlikely that any team will trade for Baker Mayfield. If the Browns canât find a trading partner for Baker Mayfield, then the Browns salary cap must absorb Bakerâs and Watsonâs salary, regardless if they cut Baker of not.
With their salary cap struggling under the weight of 2 franchise QB salaries on their roster, the Browns canât attract free agents.
The Browns have a great QB and a good team of players on their roster currently, but the Browns must solve those above issues if they hope to win a Super Bowl with Watson.
March 19th, 2022 at 12:34 am
Browns moved off Baker, saying they wanted an
“adult QB”.
Apparently they meant that they wanted an
ADULT-RATED QB.
March 19th, 2022 at 12:53 am
Thats alot for a QB who has won nothing, and had more lawsuits than playoff wins.
Theres alot to being a a Successful NFL QB. Being a headcase negates quite a bit of raw Talent.
I think the Browns will regret this move, for years to come
March 19th, 2022 at 1:05 am
Munch- Great trade by the lightning. Neither of those lightning players will ever be half the player a Hagel is. Two first rounders are surprising but itâs a 23 year old who should put up 30+ goals this season for the next decade.
As for MayfieldâŚ. Thatâs pretty bad Texas didnât even want him in return. LOL.
My guess is he goes to Carolina
March 19th, 2022 at 1:31 am
Garage time stats are not the same as stats in close game 1-4 quarter. Letâs see how does on a contending team. Packing stats for a loser does not equate to Playoff success.
March 19th, 2022 at 4:51 am
David — I know, it’s exciting LIGHTNING NEWS!
####LETS GO BRANDON!!!!!!!#########
March 19th, 2022 at 8:49 am
Cleveland what the hell were you thinking? This could go down as the worse deal in the history of the NFL. Who were the idiots in Cleveland that came up with this deal? They should all be fired. Cleveland will find out that Watson isn’t the savior they thought he would be. The Texans finally done something that makes sense.
March 19th, 2022 at 8:55 am
Sick Watson doesn’t belong in the NFL. He belongs in jail. I hope he fails. $230 mil. Thats a lot of massages.
March 19th, 2022 at 9:10 am
Why didnât he just go to the massage parlors that have a happy ending. He should know that regular massages donât end that way.
March 20th, 2022 at 4:10 pm
22 civil cases i guess the brownies didnt notice AB when talent and demons mix