Browns Deshaun Watson Loves The Idea Of DeAndre Hopkins In Cleveland | NFL News Today

+ Jon Gruden Visiting the Saints, Tyler Boyd’s Bold Claim

Good morning! 

It turns out that yesterday’s NFL newsletter was not a one day thing. 

I couldn’t wait to write another one this morning. I’m thinking this may turn into an every weekday kind of thing.I can’t confirm this yet, but I also can’t not confirm it. 

Stay tuned…

Now onto the news around the NFL. 

Deshaun Watson Would “Love” To Have DeAndre Hopkins In Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns have been flying under the radar this off-season. It feels like no one is talking about them. It partly has to do with the fact that they were must NOT watch football last year. 

Watson was suspended for the first 11 games and when he did return, he didn’t look like his former self. In his 6 starts he won 3 games and lost 3 games.

There’s a chance he gets back to playing at an elite level. The last time he started in 2020 for the Texans he threw 33 TDs and 7 Ints. There’s a reason he got the most guaranteed money in NFL history despite his situation. 

Watson and Hopkins spent 3 years together in Houston from 2017-2019, 2 of which Watson started almost every game. During that 2 year stretch from 2018-2019 Hopkins ranked in the top 3 in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions. They were a lethal duo. 

So the idea of them rejoining forces doesn’t sound crazy. 

Here’s what Deshaun Watson said yesterday at the Browns annual golf event,

"I know there's a lot of things swirling around in the media of him possibly coming to Cleveland. For me, my answer to that is of course we would love to have him. He knows that. We had a lot of connections. But that's kind of out of my range of things of kind of coordinating things. All I can do is make a call and see what happens and let A.B. (general manager Andrew Berry) do the rest."

The Browns have not hesitated to add receiver weapons this off-season, trading for Jets Elijah Moore and signing Marquise Goodwin. They join a receiver room that already has Amari Cooper. Signing Hopkins would take the group over the top. 

Any QB would love to add another top tier weapon to their WR room. But as Watson mentioned it’s not up to him. The Browns GM has to figure out if Hopkins is worth the financial investment. 

If I’m Hopkins, I’d stay away from the Browns. They could be good next season, but I’d go with a team that has more stability. At his age (30) he can’t risk having a season to forget. 

Why not choose a team that you know will be good in 2023. If you missed it yesterday, here are the 5 teams with the highest odds of signing Hopkins (and the Browns aren’t on the list). 

The Saints Brought In Former Raiders Coach Jon Gruden To Stimulate New Ideas

This off-season the Saints decided to sign former Raider Derek Carr to a 4 year, $150 million dollar deal. Cha ching. 

Last week the Saints brought in former Raiders coach Jon Gruden. Saints coach Dennis Allen explained why yesterday. (per Katherine Terrell of ESPN)

“Look, I mean, No. 1, we’ve had several coaches come and visit. Obviously, Jon’s a guy that has a lot of experience with Derek and Derek has had his most success under Jon Gruden. And so we felt like bringing him in, having a chance to sit down and visit with him as an offensive staff, with the quarterbacks and just getting some new thoughts and ideas of things we might be able to implement.” 

Gruden spent 3.5 years as Derek Carr’s coach. So the Saints thought, well he probably has some ideas as to how we can best use Carr in New Orleans. Not a bad idea if you ask me. 

The Saints had the 22nd ranked scoring offense in 2022 led by the likes of Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, and Taysom Hill. The Saints think Derek Carr could be the solution to their problems. I’m not too sure. Carr has declined every year the past 3 seasons. Here’s where he ranked in passer rating the past 3 seasons + his TD and INT’s. 

• 2020: 10th, 27 Tds 9 Ints

• 2021: 15th, 23 Tds 14 Ints

• 2022: 26th, 24 Tds 14 Ints

The Raiders have had their fair share of problems over the past few years. There’s a chance that in a new environment Carr could reignite his career. We’ll see. 

Bengals WR Tyler Boyd Thinks They Would’ve Beaten The Chiefs In The Playoffs If He Didn’t Get Injured

The Bengals lost to the Chiefs 23 to 20 in last year's AFC championship, barely missing the cut to play in back to back Super Bowls. 

Tyler Boyd went out in the 2nd quarter with a thigh bruise. Yesterday he spoke with reporters at OTA’s and had this to say. 

"Still to this day, I feel like if I would have played the whole game, I was the key factor we would've won the game."

I admire his confidence. Could he be right? Maybe. Considering the game came down to 3 points, he could’ve been the difference maker. We’ll never know. 

It’s a big year for Boyd considering he’s playing on the final year of his contract in 2023. 

Random Stat Of The Day

In 2014 no Chiefs wide receiver scored a touchdown. How does this happen?

I have absolutely no clue. That year Alex Smith threw 18 touchdown passes but they all went to tight ends or running backs.