It’s over.
The Deshaun Watson trade rumors, which had the Eagles connected for the better part of a year, are over. In the end, it was the Cleveland Browns who won by groveling, begging and selling themselves to a player not worth the spectacle.
As for the Eagles? They’re a winner by losing these sweepstakes, and in a far better place as a franchise than they would have been if Watson had wanted to come to Philadelphia or if Howie Roseman and Jeff Lurie had been able or willing to pitch the ex-Texans quarterback over the past week.
At one point, I wanted Watson. About 14 months ago, it felt like a no-brainer. He was young. He was talented. He could be the player the Eagles thought they had in Carson Wentz. But circumstances changed in a big way, and here’s why I couldn’t be happier that Watson is heading to Cleveland and the idea of a blockbuster trade to the Eagles never picked up steam with any credible NFL reporter or insider over the past week.
Let’s start off the field.
We’re talking about a person who had 10 criminal complaints for sexual misconduct levied against him. The judicial system spoke, and Watson will not face the prospect of jail time for his actions towards massage therapists. Yet, 22 civil suits remain. Read the depositions, and be prepared to cringe. Watson may not be a rapist or a criminal. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t target women or show a pattern of disturbing behavior. Watson’s judgment isn’t becoming of a franchise quarterback, and the idea that he’s suddenly going to turn into someone to build a team around is likely a fool’s errand.
I have two kids, who are both old enough to watch the games and know some of the players. If the Eagles got a new quarterback, they’d ask why. A “well, Watson is better than Jalen Hurts” wouldn’t have been a sufficient answer from me when inevitably quizzed. If you have kids, you know what would have come next: “Why did his old team get rid of him?”
So, I’d have to lie. Or there’s the truth: Watson quit on the Texans while cases filed into Houston courts, a fact so brazenly left out of the discussion over the last few days that it almost makes you second guess reality. We’re talking about a player that refused to play for the team he signed a contract for, forced his way out, then held up the entire NFL to make his decision because of a no-trade clause. Watson isn’t the victim here, despite how ESPN’s coverage has made it seem.
Then there’s the on-field aspect to Watson, and how NFL history seems to be forgotten when fans get drunk over quarterbacks.
Watson is a very good quarterback. I won’t deny his talent. But great? Top five? Please. NFL fans are becoming as bad as NBA fans when trying counting to five. Watson, off a full year away from the game and off a season in which his team won four games with him at the helm, is not stepping back on the field (likely after a lengthy suspension from the NFL) as a top five quarterback. Here are eight quarterbacks who are better this moment: Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Tom Brady, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford.
Is there a price too much to pay for an elite quarterback? Perhaps not. But is Watson (or other quarterback) “elite” if they are the eight or ninth-best player at their position? I’m not sure about that.
Watson’s accolades are impressive, but not sterling. Since entering the NFL, Watson owns a 29-26 record as a starter. He has one career playoff win, despite playing a good chunk of his career so far with stars like J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney. Houston won four games with him in 2020, then won four games without him in 2021.
The Browns (who managed to beat out the equally sad and desperate Panthers, Falcons and Saints) just guaranteed $230M (most ever) to a mobile quarterback that’s had two separate ACL tears and is coming off a season without taking a snap. Handing this person a $48M raise isn’t just eyebrow raising, it’s preposterous.
Since 2000, the highest cap hit for a Super Bowl winning quarterback is Tom Brady’s $25M for the 2020 Bucs. That figure accounted for just over 12 percent of the cap that season. Paying Watson (or any of star quarterback) record money ignores the reality of team building, especially in the salary cap era. Teams with rookie signal callers have a huge advantage, and committing huge, guaranteed money to a veteran doesn’t guarantee a Super Bowl parade. My guess is Watson’s new deal won’t be particularly cap friendly, and will hurt the Browns during its duration. I’ll be shocked if the Browns win a Super Bowl with Watson.
Watson is the first player to be traded for at least three No. 1 picks since Hershel Walker. Thank goodness the Eagles weren’t the team dumb, desperate and stupid enough to do it for a player not worth the cost (in terms of dignity or dollars), and not worth rooting for in midnight green.