What about JJ Watt? Nick Chubb’s contract? The future of Rashard Higgins? Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns

ABOUT JJ WATT

It could be wrong, so keep that in mind as you read this about free agent defensive end JJ Watt:

1. An executive told me that if Watt had an offer for $ 15 million a year, he should have accepted it immediately. The executive questioned whether Watt’s camp was trying to make its client stand out by putting this rumor into play, perhaps hoping for a multi-year deal.

2. Teams want Watt, and the Browns are among those talking to the former Houston star. But at 32 and with a significant injury history, it’s hard to imagine the Browns or most teams making a major commitment to Watt for more than a year. There is a possibility that he could sign a multi-year contract, but only with the bonus and the first season guaranteed.

3. Most analysis-based teams, like the Browns, have the same mindset as traditional football players when it comes to offensive and defensive lines – you need a lot of depth. These guys are injured. The Browns reworked Olivier Vernon’s contract ($ 11 million) and brought him back to 2020 knowing he would likely miss some games due to injury. But they hoped he would play maybe a dozen at a high level.

4. Vernon played 14 regular season games but tore his Achilles in the last competition of the year against Pittsburgh. He’s had surgery, but the Browns is unlikely to bring the 30-year veteran back.

5. I guess – and it’s a guess – is that the Browns would offer Watt more than Vernon, but it would be a one-year contract, not $ 15 million. They would see him much like Vernon in 2020. He’s a guy who probably won’t stay healthy all year round, but they hope he plays most of the time. Even 75% Watt is a plus. But he’s only played 48 of 80 games in the past five years.

6. Right now the focus is on Watt. It will end in two weeks, when the free agency opens. The “legal forgery” period is March 15, when the signatures will be revealed. Watt would be wise to sign well before then.

7. The Browns want a pass rusher. They are unlikely to find an elite in the draft. This therefore leaves freedom of action. Like most teams, the Browns also know that some quality (and expensive) veterans could be knocked out. No need to rush to Watt at an inflated cost when there are other options.

8. Meanwhile, the Browns will likely lose defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to free will. Andrew Billings is expected to return. He signed with the Browns ahead of the 2020 season, then stepped out due to COVID-19 concerns. The Browns have a good feeling that Jordan Elliott (third round pick, 2020) has made significant progress in 2021.

ABOUT NICK CHUBB

1. Not much is said about it, but Chubb is a free agent at the end of the 2021 season. The Browns are expected to engage in contract negotiations at some point, likely after free will. Chubb’s contract is for $ 3.4 million, according to overhecap.com. There is no fifth year option available. These are only for the first round picks.

2. So the Browns could lose Chubb after this season, but I doubt that will happen. The Browns want to keep Chubb for all the reasons fans love the running back. If nothing else, the Browns can use the franchise tag in 2022. That would be around $ 10 million.

3. As agents for the Browns and Chubb speak, there are several issues. Knowing that the franchise label exists, the Browns can easily have control of the contracts for two years. Let’s face it, Chubb has a history of major knee injury in college and he missed four games in 2020 with a knee problem. Does it make sense to gamble on what equates to a pair of consecutive one-year contracts?

4. The argument for keeping Chubb beings with his genius in the position, matched by his work ethic and character. The four games he missed in 2020 came after playing every game in 2018-19. It was therefore his first real professional injury.

5. The Browns have Kareem Hunt under contract for two more years. The Chubb / Hunt combination is unmatched in the NFL, augmented by a strong offensive line. The Browns don’t want to break this.

6. Chubb will be offered some kind of extension. The three biggest in recent years are Ezekiel Elliott (6 years, $ 90 million, $ 28 million guaranteed), Christian McCaffrey (4 years, $ 64 million, $ 40 million guaranteed) and Alvin Kamara (5 years, $ 75 million , $ 25 million guaranteed). I doubt the Browns will play in this financial stage. All contract information comes from overhecap.com.

7. The main point in writing this is yes, Chubb is in the last year of his contract. But I expect the Browns to use the franchise tag on him in 2021 if necessary. They want to keep him on the team.

ABOUT RASHARD HIGGINS

1. Many fans know that I have a soft spot for Higgins, who walks towards free will. The Browns told Higgins they wanted him to come back. But like everything else at this time of year, it’s all about the dollars.

2. Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com wrote an article about the impressive productivity of Donovan Peoples-Jones and Higgins. It is based on analyzes of foreign footballers. According to the story, Higgins captured 37 of 38 “catchable passes,” and 31 went for the first tries. He also captured seven of 11 passes of at least 20 yards in the air. Mayfield had a passer rating of 119.2 on the pitch to Higgins.

3. These numbers correspond to the sight test. Higgins rarely dropped bullets. He has a chemistry with Mayfield. He’s not fast, but averaged 16.7 yards per catch. Only Peoples-Jones (21.7) was higher. He led the Browns with 12 catches that gained at least 20 yards. Jarvis Landry was next with 11.

4. The Browns have $ 27 million tied up in wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Landry. Beckham just had ACL knee surgery. If he’s cut, the Browns still have to pay him $ 12.7 million. That’s why it would be a shock if that happened. The injury combined with Beckham’s salary makes his trade difficult.

5. What will happen to Higgins? He was paid $ 910,000 last season. The Browns will offer him a modest raise, but it looks like an analysis-driven team in need of a receiver could pull him away from Cleveland.

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