Berea, OHIO --- The "Johnny Football" era in Cleveland might be sunsetting, but the new Elvis might have just entered the building.
Cleveland pulled off what can be solidly called a blockbuster trade, acquiring rookie signal-caller Ron Shaw from San Diego for a first-round Draft pick in 2027, and a fifth-round pick in 2028. In a day where there were other moves heavily scrutinized by the league offices, this somewhat unusual trade was met with no resistance.
"While it's not normal for a transaction of this nature to occur, it's not unheard of," a league official stated, speaking under condition of anonymity. "The trade value was fair and equitable, and we felt no need to delay the transaction."
GM Jeff Coleman lauded the windfall at the press conference to announce Shaw's arrival to Cleveland.
"It's not everyday you get an opportunity like this," he stated. "We found out that San Diego was willing to hear offers, and had an idea what they would be asking for. We had an extra first-round pick in 2027, which really drove us to be aggressive in our discussions." Coleman did express some hesitance in parting with the fifth-round pick, citing the recent examples of CB Bruce Glasper and MLB Mark Canada as 'diamonds in the rough' that can come from that late in the Draft. However, he followed up by stating that the chance to get Shaw was, "one you just can't pass up on because of a 'maybe' in 3 years."
Shaw then took the microphone, thanking San Diego and its fans for giving him an (albeit) brief opportunity to prove his worth, then shifting to his upcoming time in Cleveland and the opportunity to learn under incumbent starter John Lyons.
"I really got a chance to watch John play in his time in Arizona," Shaw said, "and he was just an amazing talent to see. I knew he was a guy I could model myself after, and now to be able to learn the ropes of the pros under him... It's like a dream come true."
Shaw laughed at a follow-up question about his lack of scrambling ability being nowhere close to Lyons.
"I've learned early on that there are some aspects of the game I'm... Definitely not the best at. But, I know the kind of player I am, and I'm confident I can give 110% no matter what." He also stated that the coaches are already helping him work with all the tools in his arsenal. When later interviewed, QBs coach Jeffrey Officer stated unequivocally that Shaw's lack of mobility is a 'non-issue' when it came to his whole body of work, and that Shaw 'had all the makings of an elite pocket passer'.
"His (Shaw's) football IQ is tremendous. He combines that with an already above-average overview of the field, insane ability to rattle a defense, and a gorgeous touch on a cannon arm." Shaw's main knock coming out of college was his below-standard accuracy, but Officer feels that was due to scheme.
"'Nova's coaching staff turned over a couple years ago, and they went to this hybrid run-and-gun offense. Shaw was asked to do a lot of throwing on the move, and that killed his accuracy. But we feel that if we can establish his pocket presence, and have him set enough with his throws, his accuracy will rebound where we project."
To make room for Shaw on the current roster, Cleveland released QB Carlos Sears.
