Now that the NFL has announced they will suspend Deshaun Watson for 11 games this upcoming season, it was assumed by many that the Cleveland Browns would trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. However, according to reports, the Browns aren’t interested in making a deal.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports said that the door is closed on that possibility.
“They believe in Jacoby Brissett,” Jones said about the Browns. “… They’re not going to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. They are not going to trade for his salary cap number, which is around $24 million. Everyone in the NFL is waiting on the San Francisco 49ers to ultimately cut Jimmy Garoppolo, and then there can be a sort of feeding frenzy on Garoppolo.”
"They are NOT going to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo."@jjones9 breaks down what's next for the Browns at QB after Deshaun Watson was handed an 11-game suspension. pic.twitter.com/mAdgI3f1Ac
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 18, 2022
Brissett has experience as a starter with the Miami Dolphins last season when Tua Tagovailoa was out a few games. But one has to wonder if the Browns don’t get off to a quick start with Brissett, and he can’t hold the fort down until Watson returns, then what will the team do?
It looks like the window to trade Garoppolo before the season starts are closing quickly. If they start slow and he becomes unavailable, then the Brown may find themselves in trouble.