CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
While the Cleveland Browns have remained publicly committed to Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback, it appears they are also considering alternatives. According to multiple reports, including ones from Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson and Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns are among the teams to have explored the possibility of acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.
Considered one of the NFL's most talented quarterbacks, Watson sat out the entirety of the 2021 season after reportedly requesting a trade from Houston, while he was also being investigated for accusations of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault from 22 women. On Friday, a grand jury announced that it would not indict Watson on criminal charges stemming from the allegations, although the 26-year-old still faces civil suits and potential punishment from the NFL.
With the grand jury's announcement coming just days before the start of the NFL's new league year, trade talks regarding Watson have heated up. Thus far, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has been linked to the Browns, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, with Watson -- who has a no-trade clause in his contract -- set to meet with interested suitors in the days ahead, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
As for Mayfield, Wilson reports that the Browns have "fielded exploratory trade calls from other NFL teams" regarding the fifth-year signal-caller. The No. 1 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield underwent surgery in January to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder that plagued throughout a disappointing 2021 season.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis earlier this month, Browns general manager Andrew Berry reaffirmed his commitment to Mayfield as his starting quarterback. Berry, however, didn't rule out the possibility of improving Cleveland's quarterback room as Mayfield enters the final season of his rookie contract.
"We really do look at it as if it's an expansion team," Berry said. "And if we have opportunities to match resources with talent, we do want to continue to add talent to the roster and that applies to every position."