March 18, 2022
UPDATE [4:32 p.m.] — The Deshaun Watson Eagles rumors can be put to rest (FINALLY).
Watson is expected to waive his no-trade clause so he can be moved to the Cleveland Browns, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Once traded, he will receive a five-year, $230 million deal with $150 million of it guaranteed at signing.
Deshaun Watson plans to waive his no-trade clause to the #Browns, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Yes, the Browns!!
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
Trade compensation still to be finalized with the #Texans, but Watson has made his choice: He expects to go to Cleveland.
Sources: The #Browns and #Texans are in agreement on a trade for Deshaun Watson. It’s three first-round picks, a third-rounder and late-round pick swap, a fourth for a fifth.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
It’s done. He’s a member of the #Browns.
The Browns were one of the main teams in the running for Watson — along with the Saints, Panthers, and Falcons — when interested picked up the past couple weeks.
The Eagles were always thrown around in rumors dating back to before last season, but there was never anything concrete to go on other than Howie Roseman doing his "due diligence."
Watson, 26, did not play at all in 2021 after requesting a trade from Houston. At the same time, accusations of sexual assault/misconduct by Watson piled up to the point where he now faces 22 civil suits. He won't face any criminal cases, a Texas grand jury ruled recently.
Watson is still considered one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, even after a year of not playing, but the accusations and suits make him a highly controversial figure no matter where he would've gone.
Baker Mayfield, who had a falling out with the Browns, will now be traded in a separate deal.
From our breaking news segment: Baker Mayfield will now be traded. pic.twitter.com/vb03Ghd7pK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
UPDATE [11:58 a.m.] — So what exactly is going on with Fletcher Cox here?
Late Wednesday he was getting released, now reports have him back or at least heading toward a one-year deal that won't really save the Eagles any money...huh?...
Fletcher Cox 1 yr deal for $15mil guaranteed with incentives to recoup rest of money https://t.co/Crz7MaDkEc
— Let’s Go to the Phones (@letsgo2thephone) March 18, 2022
Nothing really changes. Provided everything is base salary and incentives, whatever came off goes right back on. Or most of it, anyway.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2022
With every Irish whiskey pour (hey it’s 3/17), my tweets are becoming less clear. We can reconvene tomorrow. Sláinte.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2022
Ultimately still happy to have Cox on the defensive line, but this is...confusing...
FROM EARLIER...
All the latest news is leading to something.
Howie Roseman apparently has a mandate to run the Eagles after our Jimmy Kempski reported that he had inked a three-year extension to remain the team's GM.
And after a relatively quiet first week of free agency that saw him bring in Haason Reddick and not do much else, Roseman acted on Thursday, when the Eagles first cut and then brought back Fletcher Cox, in some kind of salary cap maneuver meant to open up a bunch of cap space come June 1.
Something has to be brewing. But what?
There are still some big name free agents remaining at areas of need for the Eagles, ranging from Tyrann Mathieu to Jadeveon Clowney to Bobby Wagner to Stephon Gilmore to Odell Beckham Jr. Would Philly really tangle with the likes of those guys, veterans who'll want a brinks truck to come to Philly? Probably not, but you never know.
Instead, perhaps its the trade market where Roseman may do some damage yet this spring. Equipped with three first round picks and a little cap space, everyone watched shockingly as the Packers shipped Devante Adams to the Raiders for a pair of draft picks. Roseman must be licking his chops and working the phones. Is a splashy trade a more likely outcome than a mid-level 30 something veteran signing?
Robert Woods is reportedly on the trade block, as is Laviska Shenault Jr. The Eagles need a wideout. Are those two names to watch?
We'll have to just sit tight and wait in anticipation as Roseman considers is next move. In the meantime, be sure to keep tabs on things with our live stream and open free agency thread right here:
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