Report: Browns to consider Garoppolo if Watson suspension increases
The Cleveland Browns will consider trading for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo if Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension becomes significantly longer upon appeal, sources told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson issued Watson a six-game suspension last week following numerous allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. The league has appealed the decision.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, who's pushed for Watson to be suspended for at least a year, appointed former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey to hear the league's appeal of the suspension.
Jacoby Brissett is next on the Browns' quarterback depth chart behind Watson. On Aug. 1, two days before the NFL appealed Watson's ban, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Cleveland planned to start Brissett in the first six games of the 2022 season.
The 29-year-old started five games for the Miami Dolphins last season, posting a 2-3 record.
The San Francisco 49ers named Trey Lance their starting quarterback this year and have been looking for a trade partner for Garoppolo. The 30-year-old was expected to be dealt earlier in the offseason, but shoulder surgery left the passer in limbo. He's already been cleared to practice without restrictions.
Garoppolo passed for 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions during the regular season while starting 15 games for San Francisco in 2021.