Former NFL Executive Proposes Hypothetical Deshaun Watson Trade For Browns

When the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson back in March of 2022, the thought process behind it was that they'd be adding a franchise quarterback to oversee the offense for years to come.

That hasn't fully come to fruition during his first two years in Cleveland, so Watson enters year three of the five year deal he signed with the team upon being traded, many outside the team are questioning if the deal has been worth it for the Browns. Others, like former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum, have even started dreaming up scenarios to help the franchise get out from underneath the contract.

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On ESPN's Get Up! on Friday, Tannenbaum proposed an interesting trade scenario that would include the Browns sending Watson and a second-round pick to the New York Giants in exchange for young quarterback Daniel Jones.

.@RealTannenbaum thinks the Browns should trade Deshaun Watson to the Giants for Daniel Jones 👀 pic.twitter.com/XoSbp47qv9
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 16, 2024

Trading for Jones would serve as a beneficial cost saving measure for New York, which would free up over $13 million if a deal was struck before June 1. However, in Tannenbaum's scenario the Giants would also inherit all the remaining guaranteed base salary figured of Watson's deal as well.

Not only that, but it's still unclear if Watson can channel the top 10 QB he used to be with Houston. The Browns signal caller played in just six games in 2022, throwing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, after serving an 11-game suspension for 26 accusations of sexual misconduct.

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Year two of Watson supposed to bring the fireworks Cleveland was hoping for, but instead ended with Watson appearing in just six more games, throwing for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions before a shoulder injury landed him on the IR.

As much as the Giants trading for Watson comes with questions for New York, trading for Jones isn't necessarily the finished product the Browns are looking for either, as questions still remain about his status as a franchise quarterback.

Jones threw for 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2022, but regressed this past season playing in just six games before tearing his ACL.