Cleveland Browns Swap Controversial Quarterback, Deshaun Watson, For “Overpaid” $160 Million NFC QB In New Trade Proposal
On the face of it, the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns do not have a lot in common.
However, they are both united by their mutual disappointment in their respective highly paid, and for different reasons, controversial quarterbacks: Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones
Deshaun Watson And Daniel Jones Both Not Living Up To Expectations
Deshaun Watson was signed to a mega $230 million, fully guaranteed contract back in 2022, after being cleared in criminal court of numerous accusations of sexual misconduct.
Whilst former 1st round pick, Daniel Jones performed well below par in an injury plagued year after receiving an eyebrow raising 4 year, $160 million contract last offseason after leading the New York Giants to their first playoff win since their Super Bowl winning 2011 season.
As a result, former New York Jets GM and current ESPN analyst, Mike Tannenbaum, has proposed a trade between the two franchises stuck in moderate quarterback limbo, despite the late season emergence of 39 year old, Joe Flacco – per ESPN Cleveland.
Tannenbaum argues that both sides could be enticed by this swap because the Giants are incentivized to be in ‘win now’ mode, according to the ex GM.
“They gotta win right now, and they’re not gonna get to where they wanna go with Daniel Jones.
It gets more complicated because of what’s happened and the money. But really, if you’re Cleveland, you have created a situation now where Deshaun Watson — if you can turn him into Tee Higgins, Chris Jones, you’re really improving your football team. And because of what you’ve been able to do at the quarterback position [you have] great flexibility.”
For Cleveland, on the other side, the Joe Flacco experience showed that the Browns do not necessarily need their former All-Star type quarterback to succeed, especially throughout his 2 so-far disappointing seasons in Ohio.
Although taking Daniel Jones is probably not an upgrade on Watson, no matter how diminished he may be, he will certainly cost the Browns less than Watson will.
Whereas, for the Giants, bringing in Watson’s lucrative deal at least brings the upside, however remote, that they may at last have a true franchise quarterback, if Watson is able to regain his old, Houston Texans form in Big Blue.
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Cleveland Browns targeting $1 billion stadium renovation project
Cleveland Browns Stadium, formerly known as FirstEnergy Stadium, opened in 1999, and it’s been the host of the local NFL franchise ever since. But now it’s time to upgrade the place the Cleveland Browns call home.
Cleveland Browns Stadium could get expensive overhaul
Now that the Cleveland Browns have been playing football for 25 seasons at the Dawg Pound, the organization reportedly tried to pitch the city council on a massive renovation project for the stadium last October.
Reports state the Browns were seeking $500 to $600 million in public funds, which represents roughly half of the $1 billion to $1.2 billion that a stadium could cost, according to members. The Haslam Sports Group’s proposal included paying the other half of the stadium renovation cost.
No deal has been announced. The Browns are still trying to find a long-term solution to improve the experience for football spectators in Cleveland, including possibly changing stadium locations in Northeast Ohio and other local areas.
