Browns representatives had been assembly Tuesday with Watson, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback poised to be traded by the Houston Texans. The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints met Monday with Watson, and the Atlanta Falcons doubtlessly could have a gathering with him Wednesday.
The Browns’ curiosity in Watson indicators that they’re keen to maneuver on from Mayfield. There had been commerce hypothesis relating to Mayfield even earlier than the Browns’ pursuit of Watson.
“I have no clue what happens next, which is the meaning behind the silence I have had during the duration of this process,” Mayfield mentioned in his assertion, wherein he thanked town of Cleveland. “I can only control what I can, which is trusting in God’s plan throughout this process. I have given this franchise everything I have. That is something I’ve always done at every stage, and at every level. And that will not change wherever I take my next snap.”
The Browns’ scheduled assembly Tuesday with Watson was confirmed by an individual acquainted with the scenario.
The groups’ conversations with Watson have come with the permission of the Texans as they put together to commerce Watson, who didn’t play in any respect final season whereas going through allegations of sexual misconduct.
A Harris County, Tex., grand jury determined Friday to not cost Watson, 26, with a criminal offense. That left a number of NFL groups keen to maneuver ahead in commerce deliberations with the Texans and Watson, though he nonetheless faces civil lawsuits filed in opposition to him by girls and a attainable suspension by the NFL.
Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract that offers him substantial enter within the course of of selecting his subsequent group.
The Browns’ entry to the commerce deliberations was intriguing as a result of they have already got Mayfield, the No. 1 choice within the 2018 draft. Mayfield is coming off an injury-plagued season and is below contract for just one extra season. He is ready to make $18.858 million in 2022 below the fifth-year choice exercised by the Browns in his unique four-year rookie contract.
The Browns haven’t signed Mayfield to the form of long-term deal that may have been anticipated by this level in the event that they had been firmly dedicated to him as their quarterback. It doesn’t seem Mayfield can be included in a potential commerce with the Texans for Watson.
The Texans have been in search of three first-round draft picks and extra — both established gamers or further draft selections — in a Watson commerce.
Representatives of the Falcons may meet Wednesday with Watson, an individual with information of the scenario confirmed. But that assembly was not firmly scheduled as of Tuesday. The Falcons have Matt Ryan at quarterback and will commerce him to a different quarterback-needy group in the event that they’re capable of land Watson.