Cleveland Browns are likely to miss out on potential top free agent target, and it links back to Deshaun Watson being on the roster
Deshaun Watson being on the roster is going to impact the Cleveland Browns and being able to get a crown free agent QB.
Todd Monken being hired by the Cleveland Browns was good news for QB Deshaun Watson getting a fresh start with the team. All signs point toward Watson getting a shot to at least battle for the Browns’ starting quarterback job next season.
The reality is that Watson is returning from two serious Achilles injuries and he wasn’t good before that happened. Shedeur Sanders and Watson are the two favorites to battle for the job now, but the Browns could eventually bring in a free agent to fight for the job since they’re not in a position to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Deshaun Watson being on the roster probably takes one top free agent out of the equation for Cleveland
One name that has been connected to the Browns is Green Bay Packers’ impending free agent QB Malik Willis. Willis has reaped the view on him over the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers after flaming out with the Tennessee Titans as a former third-round pick.
Willis is going to land somewhere with a chance to start. If the Browns were to sign him, he’d be the favorite to start in Week 1 next September. The problem with it is that Willis and Watson share the same agent, David Mulugheta. Mulugheta is one of the top sports agents and Willis signing with the Browns would be doing a disservice to his client Watson, who is currently making big bucks.
Watson started seven games in 2024 before suffering the Achilles injury and held a 5-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio with 1,148 passing yards on a 64 percent completion percentage. All signs point toward the Browns restructuring his contract once more this season, then cutting him next offseason.
The only way that the Browns don’t cut Watson is if he shockingly returns to form in 2025. Watson has every incentive, including the future of his football career, to try to return to form this season with the Browns. It’s extremely unlikely that it happens based on what we’ve seen and the injuries, adding Willis into the mix would be another hurdle.
Mulugheta getting a deal done with the Browns for his client Willis would be a real head scratcher move considering where Watson stands. Willis offers plenty to the game that Monken could tie into the offense. That’s not going to be the problem.
When Cleveland brings in a free agent quarterback this offseason it shouldn’t surprise everyone. There’s just no reason to expect it’s going to be Willis. We can lose that idea now because it makes no sense for the Browns to be a team his agency wants to negotiate a contract with.
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