Browns Ex Floats Wild Deshaun Watson Trade Rumor

Former Cleveland Browns veteran receiver Josh Cribbs believes his former team is considering trading their controversial quarterback.

Within the circus that is the Cleveland Browns quarterback situation, the highest-paid of the bunch is sidelined with injury and getting the least amount of attention.

Deshaun Watson, the Browns' headline-grabbing $230 million main attraction, is still recovering from an aggravated Achilles injury and won't be cleared to return to the field until the middle third of the season at best.

As Watson rehabs and as the Browns coaching staff figures out which of their four new faces will start ahead of him, media pundits can't withhold the idea that something is about to go down.

Former Browns veteran receiver Josh Cribbs believes Watson's entire rehab this offseason is geared toward him turning into a better trade asset and that Cleveland is planning to move on from the three-time Pro Bowler.

“I think his preparation is more for a trade opportunity, and the Browns will get some good stuff for him. Not the best, but they will get something for him," Cribbs said on his podcast. "And, they will pay a portion of his salary, and the Browns will eat the rest."

The Browns acquiring four quarterbacks this offseason in free agent signings Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett and draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders paint the picture that the front office is fully prepared for life without Watson this season.

But that doesn't mean a trade is in order.

We love the hopeful optimism from Cribbs here, but it is wildly unlikely that a team will be willing to take on all that Watson brings - regardless of how much of his contract Cleveland pays.

Premium second and/or third-round picks (the exchange Cribbs suggests) won't be worth being responsible for a portion of Watson's massive salary, fielding an uncertain return from injury, and acquiring the off-the-field drama from his past that always seems to follow.

For now, Cleveland will likely work with what they've got.