Browns taking ‘a look’ at signing J.J. Watt
By Scott Rogust
The Cleveland Browns will reportedly “take a look and discuss” signing free agent defensive end J.J. Watt.
For those teams entering the 2021 league year looking to massively improve their pass rush, they received a gift from the Houston Texans. Defensive end J.J. Watt, a franchise cornerstone for 10 seasons in H-Town, was released after the two sides mutually agreed to part ways. Instantaneously, a report revealed that a dozen teams have already expressed interest in signing Watt. One of those teams are the Cleveland Browns. But just how interested are they?
A league source told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that the Browns will “take a look and discuss” Watt, but it all depends “where J.J. wants to go and the price tag.”
A league source tells me the #Browns will "take a look at & discuss" free agent J.J. Watt. "Obviously it's going to depend on where J.J. wants to go & the price tag. He's still doing the same thing he was years ago, penetrating, getting into the backfield, despite some injuries."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 15, 2021
Adding Watt would make for a dangerous defensive line in Cleveland
There are still many unknowns about where Watt would like to go, and what kind of contract he will be looking for. There has been talk of Watt wanting to go to a contender with the hopes of winning his first Super Bowl title. But would he be willing to take a pay cut to do so? No one knows yet.
The Browns would fit the role of contender. They won their first playoff game since 1994 in the AFC Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and narrowly lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. They are looking to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in its franchise history, and they have over $21 million in cap space to bolster their roster.
This past season, the Browns pass rush accumulated 38 sacks (tied 15th-most in NFL), with Myles Garrett contributing 12 of them and Oliver Vernon recording nine. The issue is that Vernon is an unrestricted free agent, and considering he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 17. Imagine the Browns allowing Vernon to sign elsewhere and bringing in Watt to replace him? That would make for an explosive pass rush in Cleveland.
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Watt is coming off the 2020 season with 52 total tackles, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles and one interception. While those numbers are not necessarily impressive, he still recorded 29 pressures, 11 quarterback hurries and 12 quarterback knockdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
Adding Watt would be a huge win for the Browns. But, it all depends on if the free agent actually wants to go there. We will get an answer at the start of the 2021 league year.