Browns’ Deshaun Watson determination appears unhealthy in mild of Lamar Jackson developments

It’s a basic case the place persistence may have gone a great distance.

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens put the non-exclusive franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson after talks between the edges reached an deadlock. Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, can negotiate with different groups, with the Ravens having a possibility to match any provide or obtain draft compensation ought to Jackson conform to phrases with one other crew.

The crew that needs to be kicking itself essentially the most over the Jackson state of affairs could be stunning. It’s the Cleveland Browns.

Per ESPN, Jackson needs a totally assured contract much like the $230 million deal given to Deshaun Watson final 12 months by Cleveland. The Ravens are unwilling to try this, viewing the Watson deal as an outlier. 

If Jackson indicators a proposal sheet with one other crew that isn’t matched, Baltimore will obtain two first-round picks from that crew. That’s far lower than the Browns dealt for Watson, whom they acquired for 3 first-round picks and extra. 

That controversial deal got here amid quite a few sexual assault allegations towards Watson, who later obtained an 11-game suspension from the NFL for violating its private conduct coverage. 

If the Browns had waited a 12 months, they may have made a play for Jackson at a less expensive value in draft capital and averted the damaging publicity of buying and selling for and signing Watson.

Browns proprietor Jimmy Haslam was prepared to offer Watson a totally assured contract, so there’s little purpose to assume he wouldn’t have carried out the identical for Jackson.

The quarterbacks have an analogous monitor document as passers. Watson has the next completion share (67% to 63.7%), however Jackson has the next TD share (6.1% to five.7%). Additionally, Jackson has considerably extra yards speeding (4,437 to 1,837).

Cleveland’s rush so as to add Watson, who was unimpressive in 2022, is an overpay in hindsight. The Browns may have added an arguably higher QB with much less baggage whereas giving up much less.

As an alternative, the Browns — who’ve one successful season over the previous 15 — did a Browns factor.