Deshaun Watson in uniformBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 12: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been solid, but not anywhere close to the man he was once was when he played with the Houston Texans.

The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in exchange for first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with a 2023 third-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick. The Texans also sent the Browns a 2024 fifth-round pick.

 

He has played in 12 games in two years, partly due to an 11-game suspension and an injury that ended his year prematurely.

Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum is now pitching a wild QB trade suggestion.

During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, the former New York Jets general manager said he’d trade Deshaun Watson and a second-round pick to the Giants in exchange for quarterback Daniel Jones.

“I’m trading Deshaun Watson and a second-round pick to the New York Giants for Daniel Jones,” Tannenbaum said.

Tannenbaum continued.
“If you’re the Cleveland Browns, you have Dorian Thompson Robinson, you have Joe Flacco and now a 27-year-old Daniel Jones – who has one year left of guaranteed money for $36 million – and an enormous amount of flexibility moving forward,” Tannenbaum said.

“And if you’re the Giants, you’re getting Deshaun Watson – who’s 29, who’s making $46 million a year for the next three years – and a second-round pick. To me, you need a front-line, difference-making quarterback.”
Watson did not have a QBR lower than 60.0 his first four seasons in the NFL, but as a member of the Browns, his QBR was in the low 40s despite him having an 8-4 record.

Watson underwent surgery to repair the displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder in November last year and ended his season after six games played.

His career has never gotten back on track since more than 20 women accused him of various forms of sexual harassment and assault. In 2022, a Texas grand jury declined to bring criminal charges against Watson.

Once he was traded, the Browns rewarded him with a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. They have yet to reap the benefits of that deal.