According to a report by Pro Football Network, the Browns will meet with Deshaun Watson in Houston on Tuesday. (Associated Press)
Report: Browns will meet with Deshaun Watson in Houston on Tuesday
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Browns’ pursuit of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson apparently is not dead yet.
According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, Watson has agreed to meet with the Browns to hear their sales pitch to lift his no-trade clause for them.
Citing league sources, Wilson reported the Browns will meet with Watson in Houston on Tuesday “to sell him on their vision as a potential trade acquisition.”
The report did not indicate who from the Browns would meet with Watson.
Earlier on Monday, a Browns spokesman did not respond to a text message from TheLandOnDemand asking if the Browns would meet with Watson.
The quarterback must waive his no-trade clause before the Texans can complete a trade.
Multiple news organizations reported that Watson met with representatives of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints in Houston on Monday.
Wilson reported that Carolina’s sales pitch was delivered by Panthers owner David Tepper and coach Matt Rhule, while New Orleans’ was presented by GM Mickey Loomis and coach Dennis Allen.
The Saints and Panthers both have made trade proposals to the Texans involving three No. 1 draft picks, NFL Network has reported. Their proposals also include players.
It is not known if the Browns have made a formal trade proposal to the Texans.
The Panthers own the No. 6 pick in the first round of this year’s draft, the Browns are 13th and the Saints are 18th. Even so, the Saints have been considered the favorite to land Watson.
The Browns’ meeting with Watson would come on the same day Watson is scheduled to answer questions in a deposition concerning 22 civil lawsuits against Watson alleging inappropriate behavior in massage sessions.
A Houston grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges on Friday, clearing the way for the Texans to conduct trade talks with interested teams. But the civil proceedings are continuing. Watson declined to give a deposition in front of the grand jury, citing the Fifth Amendment.
Watson could be subject to an NFL suspension no matter how the civil proceedings turn out, but that possibility hasn't deterred teams from pursuing Watson.
Watson did not play at all in 2021 after signing a contract extension worth $156 million over four years. The contract includes $111 million in guaranteed money.
