CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns scrambles during the third quarter in the game against the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

A blockbuster and bold trade proposal has the Cleveland Browns swapping out Deshaun Watson and his burdensome contract for another with an NFC team.

Watson signed a fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Browns after arriving via trade with the Houston Texans two years ago. With a 59.8 completion percentage, an 81.7 QB rating and just 14 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 12 games with Cleveland, it’s safe to say that the Browns have quickly come to regret Watson’s contract.

 

Speaking on ESPN “Get Up” program (h/t Max Weisman of the New York Post), former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum floated the idea of the Browns trading Watson to the New York Giants in exchange for Daniel Jones, who signed a four-year extension worth $160 million last year:
“Hear me out: If you’re the Cleveland Browns, you have Dorian Thompson-Robinson, you have Joe Flacco and now, a 27-year-old Daniel Jones who has one year left of guaranteed money for $36 million and an enormous amount of flexibility moving forward…

If you’re the Giants, you’re getting Deshaun Watson, who’s 29, who’s making $46 million a year for the next three years and a second-round pick. To me, you need a front-line, difference-making quarterback. Right now, if you’re the Giants, how in the world do you win the NFC if you have to beat San Francisco, Green Bay, Dallas, Philly and Detroit with Daniel Jones?”

It’s a fascinating proposal by Tannenbaum, but it also carries giant risks on both sides. If you’re the Browns, would you really want a QB with a 22-36-1 record with just 62 touchdowns against 40 interceptions?

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And if you’re the Giants, why would you swap out this contract for another bad one when you can get out of Jones’ contract next year?

Whether they like it or not, Cleveland is stuck with Watson for the time being. And if the Giants decide they aren’t sold on Jones long-term, they can always take a quarterback in this year’s QB-heavy NFL Draft.