What about JJ Watt? Nick Chubb’s contract? Rashard Higgins’ future? Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns

ABOUT JJ WATT

It could be wrong, so keep that in mind as you read about JJ Watt from the defensive side of the free agent:

1. An executive told me that if Watt had an offer of $ 15 million a year, he should have accepted it immediately. The executive wondered if Watt’s team was working to increase customer value, putting that rumor into practice, perhaps waiting for a multi-year offer.

2. The teams want Watt, and the Browns are one of those who talk to the former Houston star. But at 32 and with a significant history of injuries, it’s hard to imagine the Browns or most teams committing to Watt for more than a year. It is possible that he could sign a multi-year contract, but only with the bonus and the first season guaranteed.

3. Most analysis-based teams, such as Browns, have the same mentality as traditional football people when it comes to offensive and defensive lines – you need a lot of depth. These guys get hurt. The Browns overhauled Olivier Vernon’s contract ($ 11 million) and brought him back in 2020 knowing that he was likely to miss a few games due to an injury. But they expected him to play a dozen top players.

4. Vernon played 14 games in the regular season, but tore his Achilles in the final contest of the year against Pittsburgh. He has had surgery, but it is doubtful that the Browns will bring the 30-year-old veteran back.

5. My guess – and it’s a guess – is that the Browns would offer Watt more than Vernon, but it would be a one-year deal, not $ 15 million. They would see him as Vernon in 2020. He’s a guy who probably won’t be healthy all year, but they expect him to play most of the time. Even 75 percent of Watt is an asset. But he played only 48 of the 80 games in the past five years.

6. At the moment, attention is focused on Watt. This will end in two weeks, when the free agency opens. The “legal adulteration” period is March 15, when news of the hiring will leak. Watt would be wise to sign well before that date.

7. The Browns want a rusher pass. It is doubtful that they will find someone elite in recruiting. So that leaves free will. Like most teams, the Browns also know that some quality (and expensive) veterans can be eliminated. There is no need to rush to Watt at an inflated cost when there will be other options.

8. In the meantime, the Browns are likely to lose Larry Ogunjobi’s defensive tackle to the free agency. Andrew Billings is expected back. He signed with the Browns before the 2020 season, but was left out because of the concerns of COVID-19. The Browns have a good feeling about Jordan Elliott (third round pick, 2020) making significant progress in 2021.

ABOUT NICK CHUBB

1. Not much is said about this, but Chubb is a free agent at the end of the 2021 season. The Browns are expected to engage in contract negotiations at some point, probably after a free agency. Chubb’s contract is worth $ 3.4 million, according to overthecap.com. There is no fifth year option available. These are only for first round choices.

2. So the Browns could lose Chubb after this season, but I doubt that will happen. The Browns want to keep Chubb for all the reasons why fans love running back. If nothing else, the Browns can use the franchise brand in 2022. That would be about $ 10 million.

3. As the Browns and Chubb agents talk, there are several problems. Knowing that the franchise brand exists means that the Browns can easily control the contract for two years. Let’s face it, Chubb has a history of a serious knee injury in college and he lost four games in 2020 with a knee problem. Does it make sense to bet on what amounts to a pair of consecutive one-year contracts?

4. The argument for keeping Chubb’s beings with their brilliance in position, combined with their work ethic and character. The four games he lost in 2020 came after playing all games in 2018-19. So it was his first real professional injury.

5. The Browns have Kareem Hunt under contract for another two years. The Chubb / Hunt combination is unmatched in the NFL, augmented by a strong offensive line. The Browns don’t want to end this.

6. Chubb will be offered some kind of extension. The top three in recent years are Ezekiel Elliott (6 years, $ 90 million, $ 28 million guaranteed), Christian McCaffrey (4 years, $ 64 million, $ 40 million guaranteed) and Alvin Kamara (5 years, $ 75 million, $ 25 million guaranteed). I doubt the Browns will play at that financial stage. All contract information came from overthecap.com.

7. The main point in writing this is yes, Chubb is in the final year of his contract. But I hope the Browns will use the franchise brand on it in 2021, if necessary. They want to keep you on the team.

ABOUT RASHARD HIGGINS

1. Many fans know that I have a crush on Higgins, who is heading towards the free agency. The Browns told Higgins that they want it back. But, like everything at this time of year, it’s a matter of dollars.

2. Scott Patsko of Cleveland.com wrote a story about the impressive productivity of Donovan Peoples-Jones and Higgins. It is based on analyzes of people outside of football. According to the story, Higgins took 37 out of 38 “welcome passes” and 31 went for the first runs. He also caught seven of the 11 passes of at least 20 yards in the air. Mayfield had a pass rating of 119.2 when launching to Higgins.

3. These numbers correspond to the eye test. Higgins rarely dropped balls. He has a chemistry with Mayfield. It is not fast, but it has an impressive average of 16.7 yards per catch. Only Peoples-Jones (21.7) was superior. He led the Browns with 12 receptions that won at least 20 yards. Jarvis Landry was next with 11.

4. The Browns have $ 27 million tied at recipients Odell Beckham Jr. and Landry. Beckham is coming out of knee ACL surgery. If he gets cut, the Browns will still have to pay him $ 12.7 million. That’s why it would be a shock if that happened. The injury combined with Beckham’s salary makes it difficult to negotiate.

5. What will happen to Higgins? He received $ 910,000 last season. The Browns are going to offer him a modest raise, but it looks like a team looking at the need for a receiver could get him out of Cleveland.

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