Although there were four QB finalists. Deshawn Watson before the Browns and Texans completed the blockbuster exchange that sent Watson to Cleveland, up to 10 teams were reportedly interested in Watson’s services. In the comments he made after the trade, Houston GM Nick Caserio He wouldn’t say exactly how many teams made inquiries, but he noted that the interest goes beyond Browns, Saints, Panthers and Falcons.
“I would say there were a fair amount of teams, but we were trying to bring in teams that had a legitimate interest and that was based on the compensation presented,” Caserio said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). ). “I don’t want to go into the exact number, but there were a few more, but there were more teams than everyone reported towards the end.”
Caserio’s comments confirm what has been reported all along: only clubs that were willing to pay the high price the Texans were asking (three or more first-rounders) were allowed to meet Watson in person. While this seems like the only logical move in retrospect, it was a true masterstroke on Caserio’s part. If he had allowed Watson to meet with all interested clubs, regardless of the compensation offered, Watson might have opted to drop the no-trade clause for just one team, thus undermining Caserio’s influence. But as Florio notes, through the “preselection” process, Caserio ensured that he would get what he wanted before Watson actually got a say in his next destination.
According to Florio, the Colts were probing the Texans, but Caserio did not want to deal with Watson in his unit. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Eagles maintained interest throughout the process, but Watson was unwilling to drop his no-trade clause on Philadelphia, largely because he is friends with the Eagles QB. Jalen Hurts and didn’t want to take away Hurts’ starting job. Wilson adds that the 49ers also called the Texans last year.
Caserio suggested that reports of Texans’ interest in players as well as elections in exchange for Watson were at least somewhat exaggerated, saying, “I’d say other than three first-round picks, I’d say probably everything else was a bit of speculation.” However, Wilson reports that if Houston makes a deal with the Falcons, Atlanta CB AJ Terrell would be intriguing for Caserio, and if the Saints could acquire Watson, New Orleans OLs Eric McCoy and/or Cesar Ruiz could be part of a package going back to the Texans.
In the end, the Browns, who were initially considered out of the running for Watson, were able to acquire the three-time pro bowler because they were willing to give him a five-year contract for a fully guaranteed $230 million. which Wilson reveals includes a $45 million signing bonus, which other teams were uncomfortable with. We heard when the Cleveland-Houston deal was made that the financial side of the equation became unacceptable to the Falcons and Panthers, and Wilson confirmed in a separate article that Carolina fought back to a fully guaranteed contract.
Cleveland may have felt the need to strike such a bold blow because of the hopeless situation with Baker Mayfield. Mayfield requested an exchange while the Browns’ courtship of Watson continued, and when it appeared that Watson would not waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a move to northeast Ohio, the Browns declared they would not accept the request. However, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes, Mayfield had no intention of playing for the Browns in 2022 even if the club hadn’t acquired Watson, a reality that could force Cleveland on.
According to Cabot, the Browns signaled to the Mayfield camp that they would pursue the best quarterback in the offseason, but were willing to win him back with the 2018 draft’s first pick if that pursuit didn’t pan out. Because he was frank with him about their intentions, the organization believed they could eventually patch things up with Mayfield. However, as we learned last week, Mayfield has relinquished ownership. Jimmy Haslaman offer to fly to Mayfield’s home to discuss the situation, which was a clear sign that there were problems in paradise.
Cabot goes on to say that the Watson situation and the team’s comments that they were looking for an “adult” for the quarterback position – thus implying that Mayfield is not really an adult – were just the last straw. It is said that Mayfield had problems with HC. Kevin Stefanskyand with Stefanski retaining his duties in 2022, Mayfield was willing to sit out the Browns’ off-season and mini-camp in order to secure a trade for a team that has an offense more suited to his game. set of skills. With Mayfield eligible to become a free agent in 2023, the upcoming season is obviously critical for him both financially and playfully.
We recently learned that Mayfield would rather be traded to the Colts. Cabot suggests that if Indianapolis GM Chris Ballard interested, he could require the Browns to pay at least a portion of Mayfield’s $18.9 million salary, and since Cleveland has no choice but to make a deal with Mayfield at this stage, the team’s leverage in this regard and in terms of trade compensation is quite limited.
Both Cabot and Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times confirm that the Seahawks may be interested in Mayfield, but they are genuinely excited to see him. Drew Lockrecently arrived in Seattle on a case that sent Russell Wilson to the Broncos. As for the Texans, Caserio answered evasively when asked Davis Mills, who started 11 games as a rookie in 2021 and showed marked improvement thereafter, will remain Houston’s QB1. However, Mills is expected to open the 2022 campaign as a kickoff despite Caserio’s comments that the team is “starting from scratch” in the sport’s most important position.