Deshaun Watson makes public pitch for Cleveland Browns to target star free agent from division rival

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson thinks the offense needs more weapons and he is hoping the front office makes a push to land impending free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins.

The Browns offense will be a bit different in 2024 compared to how it ended this past season. While Deshaun Watson began year two with the organization as their starting quarterback, a shoulder injury ended his season in November and it was journeyman Joe Flacco who led the team to the NFL Playoffs.

While Watson will get the keys to the offense back next season, he will also do so with the guidance of a new offensive coordinator after the team fired Alex Van Pelt last week. Yet, the three-time Pro Bowler is hoping for some more change via one specific talented addition in the offseason.

• Tee Higgins stats (2023): 12 games, 42 catches, 656 yards, 5 touchdowns

Acquiring Tee Higgins would be very difficult for the Cleveland Browns

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During a recent appearance on the podcast for his personal quarterback coach Quincy Avery, Watson surprisingly made a public push for the organization to go after Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

“We wanna pass the ball. That’s what we’re gonna do,” Watson said. “We’re gonna pass the ball a lot. We’re gonna take good care of you. The Cleveland fans are gonna love you to death. We got the Clemson ties. We ain’t get to play with each other, but this is our opportunity. Man, come on over to the ‘Land.”

It will be difficult for the Cleveland Browns to sign Higgins since the Bengals have exclusive negotiating rights and can use their franchise tag. Plus, the Browns have a bunch of money already wrapped up in receiver Amari Cooper ($23.7 million cap charge) and David Njoku ($9.6 million cap charge) in 2024. Plus, Watson’s contract will also have a cap charge of over $60 million this season.

However, the Bengals have their own cap issues, and trading him this spring is a strong possibility. But trading him to a division rival would seem like a last option for the team.

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Despite playing with another gifted receiver in Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins has become a rising star in the sport with a pair of 1,000-plus yard seasons before injuries limited him in 2023-24.