Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson nearly ended up in Atlanta.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson nearly ended up in Atlanta.
During the frenzy of the 2022 Deshaun Watson trade sweepstakes, former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry had his bags packed for Atlanta, ready to team up with the former Pro Bowl quarterback.
Landry appeared on the “4th And South” podcast with former NFL running back Leonard Fournette and revealed that Watson had both of them convinced the three would team up with the Falcons.
“I get a call from a random number. I didn’t answer the phone,” Landry said. “Then, I get a text, and he’s like ‘Yo, it’s D4.’ And I’m like ‘D4?'”
It was Watson, who deciding on where to go via trade after sitting out a season. The two talked extensively about Atlanta, per Landry.
“I’m on the phone at this point for the next three or four days, every day with [former Falcons head coach] Arthur Smith,” Landry said. “And he’s telling me how he’s gonna be using me. And my agent’s in on it, too. I’m about ready to book a flight. We even planned where we were gonna have dinner at.”
Fournette also had a front-row seat to the whole ordeal.
“It is me, Mr. Jarvis Landry and Deshaun Watson on the phone. Deshaun is like, ‘You know, I’m thinking of going to Atlanta.’ That’s perfect,” Fournette said. “So I’m like, ‘Alright, keep us in touch. Let us know what you’re gonna do.’ But my man left us high and dry. I wanted to cry.”
Cleveland Offered Watson $230 Million Guarantee
Despite the planning around Atlanta, Watson ultimately headed to Cleveland on the most lucrative fully guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time — $230 million over four years. It’s a mistake the Browns are still paying for. Landry and Fournette were blindsided.
“I called ASAP. I said ‘What the [expletive].’ I said, ‘Hold on, wasn’t he supposed to let us know?'” Fournette said.
To Watson’s credit, he did reach out after the news broke. Fournette said he received a text apology and appreciated the gesture, but the sting of what could have been lingered. Landry — who had just parted ways with Cleveland at the time — went on to sign with the New Orleans Saints that offseason before retiring.
Browns Face Current Deshaun Watson Decision
Watson is heading into the final year of the contract he signed after being sent to the Browns. It’s a make-or-break season for Watson, who has played in just 19 games over parts of three seasons with the Browns. He missed all of last year after suffering back-to-back Achilles injuries.
Watson will be fully healthy and is expected to be in the mix for the starting role. The Browns also have Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel under contract. New coach Todd Monken dubbed it an open competition and has expressed intrigue about Watson’s abilities.
“I think anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skillset at an elite level, I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again,” Monken said. “And I think that’s how you should look at every player.”
If Watson does not get on the field this season, his future in the NFL is very much in question.