3 Browns players who would be most impacted by J.J. Watt signing

2. Olivier Vernon

Vernon made a lot of money in his two seasons with the Browns. He made over $15 million in 2019 and restructured his deal to still take home $11 million in 2020. His problem was staying healthy.

Vernon missed eight regular season games in his two seasons and ruptured his Achilles tendon in the 2020 regular-season finale. That injury already put his future in Cleveland in doubt.

Adding Watt would make the decision to move on a no-brainer for the Browns.

That is a bit of a bummer because Vernon looked life his old self in 2020. That is at least when he was healthy. The veteran finished with nine sacks and formed a legitimate one-two punch with Garrett on the defensive front. But if the team signs Watt, there is a negative probability Vernon would even be considered. That is true with or without the Achilles injury.

Vernon came over in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade and at this point both players could be gone once the 2021 season begins. Fans can move past worrying about that if the team can land Watt and remain a legitimate contender in 2021.