Browns' Deshaun Watson decision looks bad in light of Lamar Jackson developments

It’s a classic case where patience could have gone a long way.

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens put the non-exclusive franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson after talks between the sides reached an impasse. Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, can negotiate with other teams, with the Ravens having an opportunity to match any offer or receive draft compensation should Jackson agree to terms with another team.

The team that should be kicking itself the most over the Jackson situation might be surprising. It's the Cleveland Browns.

Per ESPN, Jackson wants a fully guaranteed contract similar to the $230 million deal given to Deshaun Watson last year by Cleveland. The Ravens are unwilling to do that, viewing the Watson deal as an outlier. 

If Jackson signs an offer sheet with another team that isn't matched, Baltimore will receive two first-round picks from that team. That is far less than the Browns dealt for Watson, whom they acquired for three first-round picks and more. 

That controversial deal came amid numerous sexual assault allegations against Watson, who later received an 11-game suspension from the NFL for violating its personal conduct policy. 

If the Browns had waited a year, they could have made a play for Jackson at a cheaper cost in draft capital and avoided the negative publicity of trading for and signing Watson.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was willing to give Watson a fully guaranteed contract, so there is little reason to think he wouldn’t have done the same for Jackson.

The quarterbacks have a similar track record as passers. Watson has a higher completion percentage (67% to 63.7%), but Jackson has a higher TD percentage (6.1% to 5.7%). Also, Jackson has significantly more yards rushing (4,437 to 1,837).

Cleveland’s rush to add Watson, who was unimpressive in 2022, is an overpay in hindsight. The Browns could have added an arguably better QB with less baggage while giving up less.

Instead, the Browns — who have one winning season over the past 15 — did a Browns thing.