See and I think that's a good indication that it will happen.... Why would Houston only grant Cleveland permission to talk to DW? Because they like Baker Mayfield.
Let me state my position clearly -- I will legitimately quit supporting this team if they trade for Watson. Offering a trade for Watson already doesn't sit well with me but if it goes through? I'm done. @IrishDawg42 - I think (hope) your proposed scenario is actually the best one. The team either (1) is doing favors or running some bizarre smoke screen, or (2) this is part of a three-way trade between, say, New Orleans, Houston, and Cleveland where the Browns stand to gain a non-Watson player or players from the other teams and all parties need to be in the same room for it to happen. @kenibals - Amen! @TopDawg - The bizarre part is that the Browns have the roster that a QB like Watson would want. He's reportedly already told the team he won't waive his NTC for them. And yet... we're still pursuing him? It's either one of the worst moves a franchise's front office has engaged in in recent memory, or it's a smokescreen or some multi-team situation.
I can't find the quote tweet now, but Ben Allbright had made a point to call out a rift between Baker and Stefanski already (before this whole Watson situation, even). I think that was pretty obvious after the 2021 season as well. Which makes this whole new situation all the more maddening. You've got a guy who played like a Top 15 QB as a rookie. Took a step back (as the whole team did) the following season. Then played like a Top 10 QB and was an obvious blown call away from the AFC Championship game in 2020. Then got severely injured the following year and further aggravated that to the point of season-ending but still tried to play through it. 2021 should be a throw-away and that leaves you with two very strong seasons for Baker and one poor one. More good than bad to work with. As you noted, we've removed the cancers that were holding him back and instead of setting him up to prove it this season, they're out courting a sexual offender who hasn't played football in a season, has quit on a team already, and has expressed a strong desire not to be in the city the team if based out of. Agreed. I thought it wasn't a great move and especially since it meant losing Jarvis, but after seeing the price of free agent receivers, I think it was a savvy move to get a talented receiver who may not have been inclined to sign as a free agent in the first place. $20 million a season is high, but it's not my money and he's got zero dead cap the rest of his contract. Yep. Keep them coming, friend!
Confirmed by Schefter. I liked your tweet for breaking the news but I strongly dislike the move. Tretter was a high-performing veteran at a reasonable salary. He's played at a Pro Bowl level every season and hasn't missed a snap since being a Brown. Feels like the third gut punch in as many days (Watson courting, Jarvis release, Tretter release). They better be damn sure about Nick Harris (I'm certainly not). And I realize this is a cap-saving move, but they obviously didn't think he'd continue to play at a high level given his age. They may be right but he certainly hasn't shown signs of slowing down. Thus far, we've made the team worse in free agency, I'm afraid.
Well... I'm not so sure Tretter isn't replaceable. This goes pretty deep, imho. They have Harris there being the understudy for Tretter the past two years. He has much younger legs and the cost savings is needed on the cap. If Harris is ready to roll, cutting over $9M off the cap. If Harris is ready, I'm ready to use Tretter's money elsewhere(as long as it isn't going to Watson). Also, it probably shouldn't be said out loud, but Tretter being renewed as President of NFLPA could also be a factor. Like it or not, he has been extremely vocal in telling his teammates what they need to do according to union business. Whether they wanted to or not, I'm sure they were compelled to do it, since JC is a teammate. This couldn't go over well with ownership/management. It's a tough situation to be in. If coach Callahan signed off on it, that's all I need to know.
Word on the street: Browns offered Houston two first round picks + Baker Mayfield + Kareem Hunt + Greg Newsome .....and the Texans said, no thanks. SMH.... which blows my mind even more than the Kirk deal yesterday....
I will second that. I was almost done when Kareem Hunt came on board, but if this is going to be a habit of ignoring social situations to win games, I don't want to support them at all. I agree with kenibals, Watson probably is more talented than Baker, but there is no way I will support this guy coming to Cleveland and representing one of our professional teams. I will hang up the Brown and Orange over it. I know a lot of you will come on spouting the "innocent until proven guilty" dialogue. In most cases I agree 100%, however, TWENTY-TWO women have come forward. If there are that many women on one profession willing to speak out, then that is enough for me to say, enough is enough for me not to support him. IF my team does support him, I feel strong enough to no longer support them. I want a Super Bowl as much as the next guy, maybe more, but at what cost? I can't celebrate a bad human being who has shown no responsibility or remorse. I can't and I won't.
First off, this is the "source" Secondly, EVEN HE says supposedly... who was HIS source that he doesn't even believe it happened? This is the only place I can find this supposed offer...
Fire Andrew Berry tomorrow. This is not only one of the worst-managed trade efforts in recent NFL history, the price tag is exorbitant. Between this nonsense and the overall weakening of the team so far in free agency period, Berry is proving he cannot get it done.
Further down that thread: Again... Allbright has been plugged into this since Day 1 and has held the same response through this whole thing: Carolina is offering the most, New Orleans is probably the most desirable for Deshaun. It's a two-horse race and the Browns don't have a shot, which is why the aggressive pursuit is so mind-boggling.
Pure speculation, but the only thing I can think that makes *any* of this Deshaun nonsense make sense is when Baker's reps and the Browns brass met in Indianpolis, Baker's camp told the team he wants out. The problem with this: Russell Wilson was available, is a better QB than Watson, has a better cap number, and was trade-asset cheaper (two 1s, two 2s, a backup QB, an Austin Hooper, and a Jordan Elliott-type player). If the Browns F/O knew they needed a new QB in 2022, they should have outbid the Broncos for Russ. Now, it was reported that Denver was the only team Russ was willing to waive his NTC for, but we also didn't hear a peep about the Browns showing interest.
I hate to say it, but if I am choosing between Mayfield and Stefanski, I’ll take Mayfield. I like Kevin as a HC, but not an OC and that is what he is. He is way too involved in this offense, which isn’t part of the evolved NFL. When the league gives one side of the ball such egregious advantages, you must adjust to use them. He has not, and it seems will not. I would like to see ownership strip him of his offensive duties behind closed doors and I think we would all be better off, including Baker Mayfield. This offense is like learning how to ride a bike professionally, THEN putting on training wheels. I want to take advantage of our RB room, but the way they are using them actually makes it more difficult on them.
Watson Watch: Originally from Georgia and as Schefter's imbedded tweet (if you can see it) reports, Watson has a previous relationship with Atlanta ownership.
100 percent. That Coach of the Year shine came off during a brutal 2021. The offense regressed, the personnel decisions were highly-suspect, the defense played its impact players out of position until halfway through the season, and of course, Stefanksi had the ability to sit Baker at any time and refused to do so. The Browns won a postseason game without Stefanksi on the sidelines and with Mayfield under center. Outside of the wide receiver room, this is a roster that would be a highly-desirable team for most coaching candidates.
Why would the Cleveland Browns chase this, knowing it's not going to happen, all the while completely pissing of the incumbent? WHY??
I think it may have made up their mind to move on from Baker Mayfield. If that’s the case, I can deal with it. What I can’t deal with is bringing on the Deshaun Watson has the replacement. Hell, I’d rather have James Winston. Stealing crab legs, I can deal with, sexual assault, I can’t.
The entire thing disgusts me. I can't understand WTF our front office is doing... Seriously considering going back to my roots...smh
If the Vikings still played outdoors like old Metropolitan Stadium then yeah, but... I'm just venting...the vitriol is real though. I just don't understand what Berry is doing. If pissing off the blue blood die hard Cleveland Browns fans was the plan, he clearly succeeded today.
