On February 27, Seth Walder of ESPN Analytics attempted to predict the opening-day starters for all 32 NFL teams. Choosing Watson to start the season as the Browns’ quarterback did not require any predictive study, since head coach Kevin Stefanski stated shortly after Cleveland’s playoff run ended that Watson would be the starter heading into the summer. Walder did, however, add a caution, reiterating his earlier this month prediction that the Browns should — and perhaps would — try to trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
Watson, who is in the third year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract, will almost probably be the Browns’ quarterback. But, if I were Cleveland, would I really run it back with Watson and risk wasting this roster again?
The problem is that the Browns’ options are extremely limited due to Watson’s cap figure and the lack of a first-round pick, which they traded to Houston to acquire Watson. I could see the Browns as a long-shot Justin Fields destination because he can be acquired without a first-round pick and won’t take up much salary-cap room. Who knows, maybe coach Kevin Stefanski can help him realize his potential?
Justin Fields is a viable target for Browns at a reasonable cost.
Fields is not a cheap option for the Browns as a backup/replacement for Watson, but he is also not prohibitively expensive.
The 24-year-old will play the final year of his $18.9 million rookie contract in 2024, with a cap hit of almost $6 million. As a previous first-round pick (No. 11 overall in 2021), Fields has a fifth-year team option with the Bears or any other team that trades for him this spring. Season 2025 will cost $25.7 million.
Fields’ current market worth is projected by Spotrac to be $283 million over a new six-year contract, although that figure will not be reduced for another two seasons. Watson has a $64 million cap hit in each of the next three seasons, thus Fields’ next two years would cost Cleveland over half of Watson’s price in 2024 alone.
Joe Flacco May Not Be An Option for Browns as Deshaun Watson’s Backup in 2024.
Of course, given how much the Browns currently spend on their main quarterback, this is still a significant commitment in the position. However, Watson has started only 12 of 34 regular-season games since joining Cleveland, making him one of the least likely NFL players to be on the field consistently in 2024.
In 2022, the Browns started Jacoby Brissett 11 times, while Watson watched on the bench after being suspended for violating the league’s player code of conduct. Four other quarterbacks started games for Cleveland in 2023, as Watson went in and out of the lineup due to injury before shoulder surgery in November ended his season.
Among those four players, Joe Flacco was by far the most successful, with a 4-1 record as a starter and an average throwing yardage of more than 300. However, Flacco’s return to the Browns is far from guaranteed, as he has stated his desire to play two more seasons and will surely seek a home where he can at least start Week 1.
According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the New England Patriots are considering Flacco as a bridge quarterback if they take a rookie prospect with the No. 3 overall choice, and more suitors for Flacco may emerge in the coming weeks and months.
Given all of the reasons, including the fact that he would most likely cost only a second-round selection to acquire, Fields makes sense for a Browns team that has spent heavily in recent years to develop a win-now group.
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