The Deshaun Watson sexual misconduct saga continues to hang over the Cleveland Browns like a stubborn rain cloud, and it has become a wedge that has divided the team’s fan base into two.
Some steadfastly believe the dozens of allegations are nothing more than a witch hunt that is driven by financial gain, while many others are disgusted the Browns traded for him and gave him a huge contract extension, citing the image it supposedly has sent to the community.
However, it appears Watson wasn’t Cleveland’s first choice.
There was more than one high-level quarterback on the market this offseason, and the Browns reportedly made a run at another one, former Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson.
The #Browns have attempted to trade for then #Seahawks QB Russell Wilson before acquiring Deshaun Watson from the #Texans, according to @AllbrightNFL
Wilson wasn't interested in playing in Cleveland and went to Denver.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 28, 2022
Can confirm Browns made a play for Russ Wilson (not the first time) this off season, but was not interested in playing there.
Chose Broncos over multiple other teams.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) July 27, 2022
Wilson, of course, is a nine-time Pro Bowler who led the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and one world championship.
Like Watson, he is also a threat to move the chains and even score touchdowns with his legs.
Wilson, at least from a public relations and optics standpoint, would’ve been a much better QB to land than Watson.
However, the drawback would’ve been the fact that Wilson is 33 years of age, compared to Watson, who will turn 27 early this season.
Given Wilson’s ability to run the football, he may have fit in well under head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive scheme in Cleveland, and his playoff and championship experience would’ve brought the team a dynamic it has lacked for a very long time.
However, it is all water under the bridge at this point, as Wilson is now a member of the Denver Broncos and will, in the minds of many, turn them into a Super Bowl contender.
The Browns’ Attempt To Nab Wilson This Spring Is Only The Beginning Of It
Over the last few years, Browns fans have tried hard to love Baker Mayfield, but they ultimately experienced more frustration than joy with him under center.
Mayfield did a good job in 2020 of leading the team to its first playoff victory since the 1994 season, but his crunch-time mistakes, combined with his mercurial nature, were too much to handle.
According to Dov Kleiman, the Browns actually could’ve acquired Wilson back in 2018 in return for the draft pick they used on Mayfield, but they said no thanks.
NBC reported that back in 2018, the #Sahawks offered Wilson to the #Browns for their 1st overall pick with the idea of drafting now #Bills QB Josh Allen but Cleveland turned them down and draft Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/8Tm0GLDTVW
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 28, 2022
Instead of having the talented but inconsistent Mayfield at the controls, Cleveland could’ve had the steady, dependable and experienced Wilson, along with the young and talented group executive Andrew Berry has put together during that time.
In that scenario, there would’ve been no need to trade for Watson, which would’ve meant no outcry from fans or women’s rights advocates throughout Northeast Ohio.
Although Wilson is getting up there in age, he hasn’t seen much slippage in his production.
His 3,113 passing yards in 2021 was a career-low, but it was also the first time in his career he missed any games.
He still managed to post an outstanding passer rating of 103.1, despite playing on a sub-.500 team for the first time in his NFL career.
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