CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns appear to still be interested in Deshawn Watson as he wrapped up his visit to the Falcons on Wednesday night.
According to two reports, Watson is either “annoyed” or “incredibly confused” by his decision which of the four teams to pick from the four he faced. The other two are Saints and Panthers, whom he met on Monday evening. The NFL Network reported that New Orleans and Carolina met the Texans’ asking price of three first-round picks and indicated that this was a necessary condition for winning the meeting.
It is reported by Fox Sports Jay Glaser. on Wednesday night “All these teams are still waiting but realize Watson is torn from the decision as it is a HUGE decision. All of them are on standby.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also tweeted, “According to a source, Deshawn Watson is ‘incredibly torn.’ He was impressed by the presentations of all four teams. It’s very difficult for him to make a choice.”
Florio revealed that there was no timetable for Watson’s decision and that other teams could be involved.
The Browns, who flew to Houston to face Watson on Tuesday night, made a compelling presentation of a roster built to win right now. Watson was impressed with a cast full of professional bowlers such as Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Miles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Kareem Hunt, Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin and Wyatt Teller.
If Watson chooses Cleveland, his old Texans teammate Jadevon Cloney, another professional bowler, will likely want to return. It’s possible that five-time professional bowler Jarvis Landry will even consider returning, although that seems like a distant possibility.
The NFL Network reported on Tuesday — before the Browns faced Watson — that the Saints, who had a 9-8 lead last season, appeared to have the lead. But Browns GM Andrew Berry has undoubtedly sold Watson a Super Bowl-ready roster, a rabid Browns fan base, and an organization that believes players who have problems off the field have a second chance and support system. that will help them.
The last time Watson set foot in Cleveland on November 15, 2020, the wind off the lake was so strong it blew a passing game and Watson only threw for 163 yards and a TD in a 10-7 loss. Maybe he’s still cooled off a bit, knowing he’s going to have a bunch more of these weather games in the cold AFC North.
At NFC South, where the rest of Watson’s suitors reside, he played in warm weather or indoors, including home games with the Saints at the Superdome.
In the AFC, he will also have to beat the likes of Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Denver’s Russell Wilson, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Chargers’ Justin Herbert to make it to the Super Bowl.
In the NFC, Tom Brady could soon end up in Tampa Bay and only have to worry about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and the defending champion Rams with Matthew Stafford.
In Atlanta, he would return home to Georgia, which he likes.
Watson’s indecisiveness also put Baker Mayfield in limbo.
With the NFL quickly filling up starting quarterback positions, he’ll want to know as early as possible if he’s being traded and where. As cleveland.com reported on Tuesday, Mayfield could be jailed whether or not Watson replaces him, given the awkwardness of returning to a team that publicly sought his replacement.
But even if Mayfield and his team ask the Browns to trade him — they haven’t done so yet, a source told cleveland.com — it’s not a foregone conclusion that the Browns will. They have to have a better option than Mayfield before they turn him in. If they do trade him in, sources say they will try to work with him to make sure this is where he wants to go.
As for who will start for the Browns if it’s not Watson or Mayfield, that remains to be seen. They could make an offer for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is looking for a long-term extension, or maybe Matt Ryan becomes available if Watson lands in Atlanta.
Regardless, the Browns seem to have made a strong enough impression on Watson that they were still in the spotlight as of Wednesday evening.
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