Nearly two years ago, the Cleveland Browns looked to reverse decades of losing by trading for three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson.
But that investment hasn’t paid off, as he has underperformed and not even remotely resembled the near-elite player he was while with the Houston Texans.
Between his lackluster play and the 11-game suspension he served in 2022 following dozens of alleged incidents of sexual misconduct, many feel Cleveland made a big mistake in trading for him.
In fact, former New York Jets executive Mike Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s “Get Up” that the Browns should trade Watson to the New York Giants for Daniel Jones and a second-round draft pick.
.@RealTannenbaum thinks the Browns should trade Deshaun Watson to the Giants for Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/XoSbp47qv9
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 16, 2024
In his final year with Houston, Watson led the NFL in passing yards, threw 33 touchdown passes, completed 70.2 percent of his pass attempts, and had a low interception rate.
But with the Browns, he has resembled someone who may not even be an adequate backup QB.
He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at midseason, but without him, Cleveland was able to win with some regularity, with a big assist from veteran QB Joe Flacco, who was brought out of near retirement and led them on a four-game winning streak.
Jones, meanwhile, has always been a lackluster passer, and he played just six games this season before suffering a torn ACL.
Somehow, even without Watson and star running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a severe season-ending injury in Week 2, the Browns made the playoffs for just the third time since their return in 1999.
However, they will need both of them to return to form for them to go to the postseason again next season — if they don’t trade Watson as suggested by Tannenbaum.
The post Former GM Says Browns Should Trade Deshaun Watson To NFC Team appeared first on The Cold Wire.