Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Nick Mullens

Thursday, March 6, 10:21 AM

The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign but, it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.

Monday, March 10, 4:55 PM

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Nick Mullens on Monday on a two-year, $6.5 million deal with $3 million guaranteed, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Mullens will be the new backup to Trevor Lawrence in head coach Liam Coen's first year in Duvall. The 29-year-old Mullens will reunite with new Jaguars assistant coach Grant Udinski after the two worked together with the Minnesota Vikings. Mullens spent the last three years in Minnesota, appearing in 13 games (three starts) while throwing for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. He only appeared in four games in relief last year with Sam Darnold having a career year. Mullens will provide veteran backup depth behind Lawrence, though, having appeared in 33 games (20 starts) in his seven years in the NFL with Minnesota, San Francisco and Cleveland.