Sadly, the Cleveland Browns weren’t able to win the J.J. Watt sweepstakes.
The superstar defensive end shockingly decided to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s difficult to pass up $23 million guaranteed, so no one can blame Watt for the decision he made.
Breaking: J.J. Watt announced that he's signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals are giving Watt a two-year, $31 million deal that includes $23 million guaranteed, a source told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/LFOuRjcNLx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 1, 2021
However, teams that lost out on Watt will now need to find another solution.
One potential option could be former Super Bowl MVP pass rusher Von Miller.
The Browns are reportedly one of the teams favored to land Miller, assuming he’s released by the Broncos.
Miller Leaving Denver?
It seems quite surprising that the Broncos would be willing to part ways with the eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
Miller has a $22 million option, which the team could save $18 million against the salary cap by declining it.
Obviously, losing Miller could be a significant blow to the defense, but Denver has plenty of problems.
This is an organization that won five games last season and needs major upgrades in multiple areas.
The money they save from cutting Miller could be a long way to help rebuild this team.
That being said, it remains to be seen if the Broncos are willing to part ways with Miller this offseason.
However, he would have no shortage of suitors, assuming he is released by the Broncos.
Odds Miller Lands In Cleveland
The Browns are going to have a battle ahead of them, assuming they want to land Miller.
Currently, the Green Bay Packers have the best odds to land the superstar pass rusher, according to Bovada.
They sit with +500 odds, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Green Bay was rumored to be heavily pursuing Watt.
The Packers have the cap space and the need for an elite pass rusher like Miller.
He did miss all of the 2020 season due to an ankle injury, but there is no doubting Miller’s ability when healthy.
Von Miller: 94.6 career PFF Grade
1st among edge defenders since 2011 pic.twitter.com/9h5XjGmQB5
— PFF (@PFF) March 3, 2021
As of right now, the Packers are the favorites to land Miller, but the Browns aren’t far behind.
Currently, the Browns have the second-best odds to sign Miller at +550 right now.
After that, the Bills, Titans, and Raiders are all behind them.
Cleveland Browns: +550
Buffalo Bills: +600
Tennessee Titans: +700
Las Vegas Raiders: +1400
Cleveland has been searching for another pass rusher to play alongside Myles Garrett.
All of Myles Garrett's sacks halfway through the season 👀 @Browns @MylesLGarrett pic.twitter.com/aBJFhlwxAh
— Everything Cleveland (@everythingcle_) November 5, 2020
The Browns defensive line is expected to need some upgrading with Larry Ogunjobi and Olivier Vernon pending free agents.
Neither player is officially gone, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cleveland head in a different direction.
Adding a player like Miller would be huge for the Browns defense in 2021.
Last season without Garrett, the Browns defense recorded 26 quarterback takedowns.
They could certainly use a player like Miller, but we’ll see if Cleveland can pull it off this offseason.
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