Update from Kyle, 10:30 AM PT: A question about whether Jacoby Brissett will start for the Browns on Thursday morning was posed to general manager Andrew Berry. “We have a lot of confidence in Jacoby,” he replied, while he left open the possibility of filling the post.
Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, will now miss 11 games instead of the original six, the NFL confirmed on Thursday. Watson also has to pay a compensation of $5 million, which is equivalent to 2% of his contract. As this was negotiated in a settlement, there won’t be an appeal decision or likely any subsequent legal action of any type. This is therefore unchangeable.
This is part-theater in the NFL, as seen by Watson’s return the week the Browns play the Texans. This implies that Cleveland will field a playoff roster that centers on Jacoby Brissett going into the season.
When the 49ers must reduce their roster to 53 players on September 1st, Jimmy Garoppolo will not be a member of the team. In other words, Cleveland has two weeks to decide whether to take a chance and trade for Jimmy or whether to accept the possibility that, should the veteran quarterback be released by the Niners, he may join with another team.
For the Browns, money is not a problem. They have cap space of more than $48 million. As far as requesting the 49ers to contribute a share of Jimmy’s compensation is concerned, no negotiations are necessary. The move therefore makes a lot of sense for Cleveland in theory.
From a football standpoint, Garoppolo is unquestionably superior to Brissett. With Jimmy, Cleveland is a postseason club. With Brissett behind the plate, they would be hard pressed to reach.500.
Garoppolo learning the offense in a month would be the hold-up. Having worked under Kyle Shanahan, Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of Cleveland, employs a similar game plan. Stefanski would probably require Shanahan’s endorsement of Garoppolo’s moral fiber and work ethic.
It would be obvious if I were Cleveland. Think they make the trade, do you?
