Watson to the Browns.

[Spider-Dan]

Wouldn't it be glorious if they have to keep Mayfield and he has a great year and they have to let him walk for nothing?

Players in the NFL do not get to "walk for nothing" unless the team wants them to.  CLE could franchise him and trade him.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Players in the NFL do not get to "walk for nothing" unless the team wants them to.  CLE could franchise him and trade him.

If he has a decent year they will get a third round compensatory pick even if they don't tag.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Players in the NFL do not get to "walk for nothing" unless the team wants them to.  CLE could franchise him and trade him.

They would be in a similar situation to the one they are in right now. Meaning, they are basically forced to trade him or have a very expensive QB room. They could still get it done, but if Baker doesn't want to go to a certain team, he will make his feelings known and the trading team might back off. It definitely carries it's own risks.

[EDGECRUSHER]

A lawsuit filed against the Texans alleges "individuals within the Texans organization knew or should have known of Deshaun Watson's conduct."

Watson just settled all but four of the lawsuits filed against him. This new lawsuit claims the Texans enabled his behavior by providing "rooms set up for him at the Houstonian Hotel, massage tables provided to him for private massage sessions, and a NDA provided to him from the head of Texans' security." The lawsuit paints a truly disgusting situation in an even worse light by accusing the Texans, an NFL franchise worth billions of dollars, of supporting Watson amidst his alleged instances of sexual misconduct. Watson's disciplinary hearing began on Tuesday. Many reports have indicated that the NFL will push for a suspension no shorter than a year.
Related:

    Houston Texans

Source: NFL.com
Jun 27, 2022, 4:07 PM ET

Now, just because a lawsuit is filed, doesn't mean it's all true but when you file a lawsuit with very specific details like this? That definitely doesn't look too good for you. Does anyone know if the women who sued him ever mentioned these details before?

[Spider-Dan]

They would be in a similar situation to the one they are in right now. Meaning, they are basically forced to trade him or have a very expensive QB room. They could still get it done, but if Baker doesn't want to go to a certain team, he will make his feelings known and the trading team might back off. It definitely carries it's own risks.

The difference is that right now, Baker is coming off of a mediocre year and the demand is low.

If he plays the same next year, let him walk.
If he lights it up next year, the demand will be high and CLE will be able to get value out of trading him.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

They would be in a similar situation to the one they are in right now. Meaning, they are basically forced to trade him or have a very expensive QB room. They could still get it done, but if Baker doesn't want to go to a certain team, he will make his feelings known and the trading team might back off. It definitely carries it's own risks.

If they tag and trade, they will likely have already worked out the trade before the tag.

[ArtieChokePhin]

Browns just traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers for a 5th rounder.   I guess they either know Watson's suspension will not be for a full year or they're really taking a gamble here by getting rid of their safety net.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Browns just traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers for a 5th rounder.   I guess they either know Watson's suspension will not be for a full year or they're really taking a gamble here by getting rid of their safety net.

I think they just got rid of their safety net. All signs point to a year suspension if not more and while it will be fought, I don't think precedent is on their side. Either way, you have to figure that best case scenario is Watson only getting an 8 game suspension. They still need a real QB for 8 games to avoid falling so far back the playoffs are out of the picture.

Not like they got a great deal either. A 5th Rounder while they eat $10.5 Million? Sounds like they just wanted him off the team.

Panthers play Browns in Week 1. Should be fun.

[CF DolFan]

Browns just traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers for a 5th rounder.   I guess they either know Watson's suspension will not be for a full year or they're really taking a gamble here by getting rid of their safety net.

They killed themselves with Baker Mayfield. I wouldn't read too much into why they did it. He wasn't ever going to play for them again and everyone knew that so they had no leverage in getting much in return.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

And with the first overall pick Browns Texans select...

[EDGECRUSHER]

And with the first overall pick Browns Texans select...

I think when all is said and done, they will have Laremy Tunsil'd Cleveland.

[CF DolFan]

Wow ... the Browns are even covering over 10 million of his salary for this year. They basically were begging to get rid of him and save any money. hahahaha. They did this to themselves.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Jacoby Brisett is the backup. Obviously, we are not too fond of him around these parts. Their schedule is fairly light in the beginning of the year if he has to start 8 games, but if he has to start all of them, they're doomed and the Texans got themselves a nice draft pick.

[Sunstroke]

Jacoby Brisett is the backup. Obviously, we are not too fond of him around these parts. Their schedule is fairly light in the beginning of the year if he has to start 8 games, but if he has to start all of them, they're doomed and the Texans got themselves a nice draft pick.

They got 3-4 nice draft picks...  

[EDGECRUSHER]

They got 3-4 nice draft picks...  

If this trade plays out for Cleveland like it is looking like it will play out, then the team should be moved to Baltimore again. Just have two teams there.