Cleveland Browns wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr. is considering signing with a new team.
The Cleveland Browns have offered Austin Watkins a backup/futures contract, but the young pass rusher is weighing his options.The Browns announced on Monday,
January 15th that they have signed nine players to reserve/futures contracts.
That includes wide receiver Jaylon Darden, cornerback Vincent Gray, running backs John Kelly Jr. and Zaire Mitchell-Paden, offensive tackle Justin Murray, defensive back Lonnie Phelps, running back Charlie Thomas III, defensive back Isaiah Thomas and defensive end Chris Williams.
According to Brad Stainbrook of TheOBR.com, Watkins is not on that list and is currently evaluating his next move.
“Source: WR Austin Watkins Jr. Has been offered a backup/futures contract with Cleveland, but is currently weighing his options before making a final decision,”Steinbrook wrote on Monday, Jan. 15.
“Watkins Jr. “There are other options, and we are considering them carefully,” he said.
Watkins became a fan favorite in the preseason and led the Browns in receiving yards during four exhibition games.
He was the only Cleveland player to record double-digit receptions with 16 for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
That included a remarkable seven-play performance against the Philadelphia Eagles for 139 yards.
He was cut late in the preseason but rejoined the practice squad. Watkins went undrafted this season.
Jaylon Darden has potential for the Browns.Jaylon Darden was one of the players the Browns signed to a reserve/future contract on Monday.
Jaylon Darden was one of the players the Browns signed to a reserve/future contract on Monday.
Futures contracts become active from the beginning of a new competitive year.
When the practice squad is inactive during the offseason, teams can sign players to prepare for the upcoming season.
Darden was one of the high-profile signees on Monday. Signed with the Browns during training camp.
Darden was a fourth-round pick of the Bucs in 2021, but didn’t last long in Tampa Bay.
He appeared in 21 games and recorded eight receptions for 69 yards.
He also returned 50 kickoffs for a 9.4 average and 21 punts for a 20.3 average.
Darden could have a role in the return next season. Returning specialist Jakem Grant will become a free agent.
Grant has missed the last two seasons due to season-ending injuries. He tore the patella in his knee in the preseason.
During the 2022 campaign, Grant missed the year with an Achilles injury.
The Browns have several key players approaching free agencyThe Browns will have to make a decision on Nick Chubb’s future this offseason.
The Browns will have to make a decision on Nick Chubb’s future this offseason.
The Browns’ offseason started earlier than the team would have liked after a 45-14 wild card loss to the Houston Texans.
Cleveland now has some key roster decisions to make. Linebackers Zion Takitaki, Anthony Walker Jr. and Harrison Bryant, running back Za’Darius Smith and running back Kareem Hunt are among the players slated to become free agents this offseason.
The Browns may have to do some gymnastics to fulfill Deshaun Watson’s contract.
Watson will make $63.9 million next season thanks to the $230 million contract he signed with the team following the 2022 trade that brought him to Cleveland.
Bringing back Nick Chubb could be the goal of a reworked deal. Chubb is currently recovering from a season-ending knee injury that required two surgeries.
He is expected to be available at some point next season, but his return date is not yet known.
Chubb is expected to take about $16 million off his current contract.
The dead money that can be collected from his release is only $4 million. JR DeGroote covers the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Lakers for Heavy.com.
He covered local and national sports as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and has decades of experience in digital media, previously working at SB Nation and Bleacher Report.
He has won several state, regional and national awards for sports reporting and photography. J. R.
