The Bears trade Justin Fields to the Browns in exchange for a second-round pick and pitcher flips.
Although the Cleveland Browns publicly support Deshaun Watson, their stance may falter next season when the QB’s performance also declines.
It is possible that Watson will come back in good health post-shoulder surgery and rediscover the Pro-Bowl level he displayed during his three-year stint with the Houston Texans, prior to off-the-field issues hampering his career. Alternatively, he may simply need to find a way of staying fit for more than six games per season – which was all he managed in 2022/23. However, it seems more probable that Watson’s lacklustre displays during his time at Cleveland will continue unabated; necessitating Browns’ attempts to compete for silverware despite their quarterback rather than because of him.
Given the probability of this situation, it makes sense for the franchise to explore options beyond Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco as mere backups, moderate contenders and potential substitutes for Watson in case things don’t go according to plan – a common occurrence based on past experience. On February 16th, Seth Walder from ESPN recommended that the Browns trade draft picks with Chicago Bears in order to secure QB Justin Fields who is expected to play elsewhere next season.
Walder suggested that the Browns should view Deshaun Watson as a sunk cost and look to improve at quarterback. This would be difficult, considering they have no first-round pick and have already invested heavily in Watson. However, acquiring Fields (who is still on his rookie contract) for a second- or third-round draft pick is within reach.
Over the next two seasons, Justin Fields presents the Cleveland Browns with a reasonably priced option.
Two years ago, the Browns gave up three first-round draft picks and more to acquire Watson for a whopping $230 million in fully guaranteed salary. Hence, obtaining Fields with just one second-rounder who will play under cost-controlled terms over the next two seasons appears as an extraordinary deal.
Fields’ market value is projected to be $283 million over six years, or approximately $47 million annually by Spotrac. However, Fields will start on the final season of his rookie deal worth $18.9 million in 2024 as a three-year starter for the Bears and former No.11 overall pick from 2021. Ahead of the May deadline, Chicago (or any team that holds Fields’ rights) is likely to exercise their fifth-year option on this contract which involves keeping him under contract until 2025 for just$25 .7 million-considered reasonable today’s standards for quarterback positions in NFL teams!
If Cleveland decides to trade for Fields, they would only be responsible for a total of under $32 million in cap hits over two seasons. This amount is essentially half of what Watson’s contract carries in each of the following three years. In case Watson becomes successful by 2024, the Browns could consider trading Fields before next offseason or at the trade deadline and receive returns that make up for their initial acquisition costs.
In this year’s draft, Cleveland has to wait until pick No. 54 while other teams who are eyeing Fields like the Pittsburgh Steelers (No.51) and Atlanta Falcons (No.43), have a stronger second-round asset to offer potentially interested parties. However, if the Browns intend on being contenders in securing Fields’ placement; they could include another Day-3 selection for their proposal to be more appealing as an option compared against competitors’.
The Browns need to promptly determine an alternative strategy for the event that Deshaun Watson is not available.
Deshaun Watson has made significant progress both on and off the field in the eyes of the Browns.
The Cleveland team is under pressure to quickly choose their backup quarterback or contingency plan if Watson fails as the primary option for three consecutive years.
On Tuesday, Ryan Poles, the general manager of the Bears expressed his desire to both satisfy Fields and obtain maximum value for him. To that end, Chicago plans to kick off trade discussions in earnest on March 13 as per league regulations.
Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of Browns, informed reporters on Wednesday that he and Ken Dorsey, their new offensive coordinator, are scheduled to travel to Los Angeles next week for discussions with Watson. Watson will start throwing soon as part of his shoulder rehabilitation program.
Stefanski mentioned that he’s aware of the fact that soon enough, throwing will be part of his routines since he has been meeting goals. He shared their plan to visit him next week and spend time together without discussing football matters just to catch up. Although they won’t witness him throw, it is imperative for them to check on how he’s doing so far. Stefanski also revealed sending a text almost every day which gives assurance about his current state-of-mind being in an excellent place.
Watson’s position within the franchise will become clearer with time and the Browns’ actions.
