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Could J.J. Watt wind up with the Browns in 2021?

There is a lot of national focus on the fate of Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, but that team has another star player who could very well be on the move. Defensive end J.J. Watt has also expressed concern with the Texans organization and could also be in a new uniform in 2021.

Could that be a Browns uniform?

It’s possible, though probably not likely for a variety of reasons.

Watt is 32 and has had some injury concerns over the past few years; he missed 32 games in the last five seasons due to injury, though he did manage to play in all 16 for the Texans in 2020. He’s entering the final year of his contract, one that pays him $17.5 million.

While that salary is not guaranteed and could be renegotiated, it’s still the salary as of now and one the Browns couldn’t really afford beyond a one-year rental. Acquiring Watt would require a trade that would take away a potential future asset with better cost control than what the Browns are guaranteed to get with Watt.

He’s still a very good player but he’s not the same player he was at his peak, a five-time first-team All-Pro who won NFL defensive player of the year in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Watt has posted nine total sacks and 18 TFLs in his last 24 games.

If the Browns see Watt as an affordable stopgap contributor in 2021 to replace Olivier Vernon (and his torn Achilles), it’s possible Cleveland GM Andrew Berry makes the move. But don’t expect it to happen.