Jimmy Garoppolo To Cleveland? Browns Could Trade For QB If Deshaun Watson's Suspension Increases

The Cleveland Browns have already been at the center of two high-profile quarterback trades this year. If Deshaun Watson is unavailable for most of the 2022 NFL season, the team could execute its third quarterback trade in just five months.

The Browns will consider trading for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo if Watson's six-game suspension is increased significantly, according to Cleveland.com. The NFL is appealing the ruling by Judge Sue L. Robinson, aiming to keep Watson off the field for the entire year.

Garoppolo is, by far, the best available quarterback. The 49ers have named second-year quarterback Trey Lance their starter and have been trying to trade Garoppolo since they were eliminated from the playoffs.

Cleveland gave up three first-round picks in the trade to acquire Watson, and the Browns subsequently gave the quarterback a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Watson sat out the entire 2021 NFL season amid his trade request from the Houston Texans and two dozen allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against him.

The Browns had the option to keep Baker Mayfield, who has one year left on his contract. The relationship between Cleveland and Mayfield seemed to be irreparably damaged when the team pursued Watson. The Browns sent Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers for a 2024 conditional draft pick.

It might cost Cleveland a similar price to acquire Garoppolo. There doesn't appear to be much of a market for Garoppolo with the regular season only one month away. Garoppolo is in the final year of his contract.

Garoppolo is largely viewed as an average quarterback, though he's a proven winner when surrounded by a talented roster. In his only two seasons with more than six starts for San Francisco, Garoppolo led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game. The 49ers were defeated in the Super Bowl in 2020 and came up short against the eventual-champion Los Angeles Rams in last year's conference title game.

In 15 games last season, Garoppolo threw for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a league-high 12.7 yards per completion. Garoppolo has a career 98.9 passer rating.

Watson's 104.5 passer rating is tied with Aaron Rodgers for second-best in NFL history.

If Watson is able to play at least half of Cleveland's games, the Browns will be viewed as a potential contender in the AFC. Cleveland is only two seasons removed from going 11-5 and reaching the divisional round of the playoffs.

For now, Jacoby Brissett is in line to start the games that Watson will miss. Brissett went 2-3 as the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback last season. In 60 career games, Brissett has 36 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions.

In Brissett's only season as a full-time starter, he averaged 196.1 passing yards per game for the 2019 Indianapolis Colts. Brissett had a 7-8 record in 15 games.

Watson is eligible to play in the preseason and expected to start Friday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars.