Deshaun Watson Trade Rumors: Browns to Meet with QB amid Panthers, Saints Interest

The Houston Texans reportedly granted clearance for quarterback Deshaun Watson to meet with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday as he researches different trade options.

Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported the Browns are "not entirely sold" on keeping Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback and remain "more than open to the idea" of seeking out a potential upgrade at the position, such as Watson.

Jordan Schultz of Boardroom later added Watson will also have a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers. However, NFL insider Josina Anderson and The MMQB's Albert Breer were among those to report Watson would not be meeting with Niners brass. 

The Watson situation has started to move quickly since a Texas grand jury declined to charge him last week on nine criminal complaints from women accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions. He still faces 22 civil lawsuits.

ESPN's David Newton reported the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints were also cleared to meet with the Texans quarterback.

CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reported Watson is expected to be moved to Carolina, New Orleans or Cleveland by Wednesday.

Both sides hold some leverage as trade talks get underway. Watson owns a no-trade clause in his four-year, $156 million contract, so he'll have some say over his final destination, but that deal runs through 2025, meaning the Texans aren't under imminent pressure to trade him or lose him to free agency.

The 26-year-old Clemson product would represent a nice boost for the Browns on the field, who are trying to keep pace in an AFC loaded with quarterback talent.

In 2020, Watson completed 70.2 percent of his throws for a league-leading 4,823 yards along with 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 games. He added 444 rushing yards and three scores.

Houston made him a healthy inactive for the entire 2021 season while the legal process played out.

Mayfield has put together stretches of strong play since Cleveland selected him with the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. He's yet to firmly establish himself among the upper echelon of quarterbacks, though.

The 26-year-old Texas native ranked 27th in ESPN's Total QBR for the 2021 season after finishing the year with 17 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 14 games.

Mayfield is under contract with the Browns for one more season and is still likely to remain the team's starter, but the front office is at least going to make a run at Watson.

San Francisco, meanwhile, has a quarterback situation of its own to resolve. The 49ers reached the NFC title game this past season under Jimmy Garoppolo, who has been the team's starter since 2017. However, the team made a blockbuster deal last year to move up to No. 3 in the draft to take Trey Lance.

With Lance having a year in the NFL under his belt, albeit as a backup, Garoppolo's future remains in doubt. But it appears it will be Lance, not Watson, who would take over if Garoppolo moves on.

While there are a number of teams interested in Watson, moving him to the NFC would probably be Houston's preferred outcome.