On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen would prefer to play for the New York Giants instead of the Cleveland Browns -- and could return to school in 2018 in order to avoid the latter.
On Tuesday, the highly touted signal-caller didn't exactly deny those claims.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Bruins' Tuesday night appearance in the Cactus Bowl -- which he'll miss due to a lingering concussion -- Rosen was asked about potentially of being selected by certain teams should he opt to forego his senior season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. In answering, the former 5-star prospect didn't deny possessing a preference in where he'll begin his professional career.
“I'd rather be a lower pick at the right team than a higher at the wrong team," Rosen said, according to ESPN NFL reporter Josh Weinfuss.
It's not much of a stretch to link Rosen's comment to the Browns, who at 0-15 have already locked up the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since owner Jimmy Haslam purchased the team in 2012 -- and even before that -- the franchise has been a portrait of instability, having hired three head coaches and four general managers in a five-year stretch.
So it's not a surprise Rosen might prefer a team like the Giants, who despite their own struggles in 2017 -- they'll select second in 2018 -- have made the playoffs in three of the last six seasons and possess proven players, such as Odell Beckham Jr.
Plenty, of course, can change between now and the start of the 2018 draft on April 26. But for now, one of the top prospects appears to be campaigning against playing in Cleveland, serving as just the latest blemish on another forgettable season for the Browns.
