Exclusive; Proposed Browns Blockbuster Lands Deshaun Watson Upgrade for 2024
The Browns could trade Deshaun Watson for Justin Fields. If the Cleveland Browns decide to consider an alternative solution at quarterback this offseason, Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields could be an option to replace Deshaun Watson.
The Bears made an interesting decision to go with Fields this offseason. The team selected the Ohio State standout with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft. However, Chicago holds the No. 1 overall pick, which will likely be USC star passer Caleb Williams.
Recently, a panel of ESPN analysts and insiders was asked what moves they would like to see this offseason. Seth Walder petitioned the Browns to trade Fields. “It’s crazy, I know. But if I were the Browns, I would view Deshaun Watson as a sunk cost and try to improve my status at the quarterback position.
That’s going to be hard to do because they don’t have a first-round pick and they already have a lot of money coming in,” Walder said. “But trading a second or third round pick for Fields (who is still on his rookie contract) is possible, and I’d like to see Fields in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. The alternative is just hoping Watson improves and, if not, wasting another year of a talented roster.”
The Bears selected Justin Fields with the top pick.
The Bears need to decide if Justin Fields is the starter. Fields played in 13 games for the Bears last season. He passed for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 657 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. As Walder noted, Fields is on his rookie contract, so he’s unlikely to command a big price tag, at least for now.
He has one more year left on his contract, with a fifth-year option allowing him to extend it into next season. The question is whether the field is available or not. The Bears could decide to keep him and find a suitor for their top pick instead. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on February 10 that it would take a “historic” bid to snatch the No. 1 overall pick from the Bears.
Chicago is keeping its cards close to its chest, but Bears president Kevin Warren recently publicly supported Fields. “He’s a supporter of Justin because he had the opportunity to work with him when he was the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference,” Warren told WGN via NBC Sports Chicago on February 14. “He is unbelievably talented. He’s smart. He works tirelessly. And he wants to be a great NFL football player.
Now he just needs to make sure he has support around him. “Justin has a rare combination of intelligence, size, strength and speed. You forget how big he is until you attack him. He is not a small man. I think he’s going to get better every year.”
Browns have confidence in Deshaun Watson
The Browns said they trusts Deshaun Watson. The Browns gave up a huge effort to sign Watson in 2022. Cleveland gave up three first-round picks and immediately signed Watson to a massive, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million. So far, there have been no results. Watson appeared in just 12 games and his performances in those competitions were patchy.
He passed for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the Browns. Watson is also scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery due to a right glenoid fracture. Despite his lackluster play, the Browns are confident they can build a championship-caliber team around Watson. “I feel good about Deshaun,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said, according to Zach Jackson of The Athletic.
“I think the biggest thing is that he stays on the field and stays on the field. Each year we try to carry out as many self-assessments as possible across all areas of our business. So whether it’s a good year or a bad year, (we) will probably always be tinkering with what we think is best to some extent somewhere.
But especially for Deshaun, we were very excited. “We just want to make sure he’s healthy.” Watson is still recovering from a season-ending shoulder injury but is preparing for training camp.
