The Cleveland Browns dreamed of getting Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans. The quarterback met with them, but ultimately decided to rule them out as an option.
Updated March 17
Who knows if it was in view of the potential arrival of Watson and his contract, but the Browns even released center JC Tretter and tight end Austin Hooper, yet two good players. They seemed to believe it.
But the worst thing that came out of the Browns’ flirtation with Watson was that it convinced Baker Mayfield to demand a trade. The quarterback even thanked Browns fans on social media in what felt like a goodbye.
PHOTO ZACH BOLINGER, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Deshaun Watson
A source in the Browns organization reportedly told reporter Chris Mortensen (ESPN) that Mayfield would no longer be with the team in the near future because the Browns wanted an adult quarterback…
However, a little later, Tom Pelissero (NFL Media) wrote that the Browns had offered to meet Mayfield at his home in Texas to discuss, but that the quarter would have refused, judging that the bridges had been burned. The first-ever pick in the 2018 draft no longer wants to play in Cleveland, but it’s rumored the Browns wouldn’t trade him. Difficult to see clearly.
Although the demand for Mayfield was probably not very high, he could interest some teams, including those who will not be able to obtain Watson. Currently, the three teams still in contention in the Watson derby would be the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons.
If Watson were to choose the Falcons and the Texans accepted their offer, Matt Ryan would be another quarterback who would become available. Could the Browns be interested in the 36-year-old passer? Or Jimmy Garoppolo, who still hasn’t been traded by the San Francisco 49ers? Derek Carr? A choice in the repechage next April?
Von Miller, the exception
The free agent market is relatively quiet this year. Dozens of good players have still not concluded an agreement, the vast majority of the contracts that have been granted are for a period of three years or less and, in general, the salaries granted are not disproportionate compared to what we normally see.
Except maybe one.
On hearing Wednesday night that Von Miller had just accepted a six-year contract worth a potential $120 million from the Buffalo Bills, many people gasped and wondered if we were back in 2015 or 2016. … Miller turns 33 on March 26 and enters his 12e season in September.
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
By Miller
The odds of the outside linebacker playing six more seasons and earning $120 million are, of course, low. After the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the contract news, ESPN’s Adam Shefter told us that Miller was still guaranteed to get $51 million. That’s huge for a player who hasn’t reached 10 sacks in a season since 2018.
But if the Bills agreed to grant him this contract, it is because other clubs were ready to offer him as much or almost. The Los Angeles Rams, who traded their second and third picks in April to the Denver Broncos to get him, hoped to keep Miller.
The Dallas Cowboys also wanted to hire him after Randy Gregory’s about-face. The latter would have accepted an offer of 70 million for five years to stay in Dallas before giving up on the Cowboys by accepting an equivalent offer from the Denver Broncos instead.
Miller was very good in the playoffs and was an important piece in winning the Rams. The presence of Aaron Donald on the team’s defensive line, however, was a huge factor in the success of Miller, who was not the priority of the opposing offensive lines.
That said, the Bills needed a top quarterback chaser. Their defense is good, but it lacked a little something to become dominant. Miller could be that certain something. He will certainly help a team that will be among the main contenders for the Super Bowl in 2022. However, it remains to be seen if he will be able to be productive throughout the season and for several years.
Robinson at the Rams
Like Von Miller, Odell Beckham Jr. will likely not be part of the Rams next season. Sean McVay’s team instead signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal with fellow receiver Allen Robinson, who was considered the best wide receiver available.
Robinson will join Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, giving the Rams the best wide-open trio in the league. It’s probably Beckham who would have gotten this contract if he hadn’t torn an anterior cruciate ligament in the first half of the Super Bowl. The receiver is currently free to negotiate with the team of his choice, but it can be assumed that his bargaining power is low given his injury.
