At what worth? Deshaun Watson commerce may cost Cleveland Browns greater than cash draft picks

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns had been determined to commerce for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

So determined, they had been keen to present Watson greater than every other staff in competition for his companies.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday the Browns are set handy Watson a brand new five-year deal value a record-shattering $230 million — all totally assured.

All this, regardless of the actual fact Watson nonetheless faces civil lawsuits from 22 ladies who’ve accused him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage classes. Although a Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on felony fees on March 11, the civil instances are ongoing.

In keeping with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, that is probably the most assured cash in NFL historical past — $80 million greater than the earlier excessive set when reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers finalized his extension with the Green Bay Packers this week. Solely three different contracts in NFL historical past have even topped $125 million in assured cash (the Payments’ Josh Allen, Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Cowboys’ Dak Prescott).

That is what it took for the Browns to climb again into the combo for Watson, who on Thursday had eradicated Cleveland from consideration. And three first-round draft alternatives and two extra picks is what it took for the Texans to greenlight the commerce.

The final time an NFL staff surrendered that a lot first-round draft capital to land one other participant got here in 1989, when the Vikings mortgaged their future to land working again Herschel Walker from Dallas. That commerce famously backfired on Minnesota, whereas laying the inspiration for the Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1990s.

Likewise, this commerce for Watson comes with its personal threat for Cleveland, each off the sector and on.

The general public relations harm is already accomplished. The Browns not solely signed Watson regardless of his ongoing authorized points, however they gave him a elevate. It is positive to be a polarizing determination amongst their fan base with threat to the picture and status of the Browns, together with house owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, normal supervisor Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski.

On the sector, the Browns have forfeited a lot of their capability to improve their roster with high-end expertise within the draft going ahead after buying and selling their first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in addition to a 2023 third-round choose and a 2024 fourth-round choose. The Browns did obtain a 2024 fifth-round choose in return. The lack of picks particularly stings contemplating how nicely Berry has drafted in two years as Cleveland’s normal supervisor.

The Browns have sufficient cap flexibility to soak up Watson’s large deal whereas holding an in any other case loaded roster intact. However including to will probably be a problem, and Cleveland nonetheless has huge holes to fill on its defensive position alongside Myles Garrett.

Because it stands, the NFL may droop Watson for no less than six video games by means of its code of conduct coverage for violations associated to sexual assault. The league confirmed in a press release that any commerce would have “no impact on the NFL’s ongoing and complete investigation of the intense allegations towards Watson. If the league’s investigation determines Watson violated the private conduct coverage, self-discipline could also be imposed pursuant to the coverage.”

If Watson is disciplined, although, it will not price him a lot financially. ESPN confirmed Watson’s new $230 million contract with Cleveland will embrace solely $1 million in base wage for the primary yr. In different phrases, if Watson is suspended, he would lose lower than $60,000 per recreation misplaced.

That the Browns even agreed to a contract construction explicitly meant to bypass NFL enforcement solely underscored their desperation additional.

Because the franchise has illustrated a number of instances prior to now beneath the Haslams, it is keen to offer second probabilities to gamers it thinks might help win video games.

In 2019, the Browns signed one-time NFL speeding champ Kareem Hunt to a one-year deal three months after the Kansas City Chiefs launched him when video surfaced showing him shoving and kicking a woman at his residence in Cleveland. The league later suspended Hunt for the primary eight video games of the 2019 season.

In 2021, the Browns signed defensive deal with Malik McDowell, a second-round choose of the Seattle Seahawks in 2017. In 2019, McDowell was charged in Michigan with driving whereas impaired, obstructing justice and assaulting a police officer. Video confirmed McDowell combating with police even after they surprised him with a Taser following a DUI cease. Two months later, he was present in possession of a stolen truck, main to a different cost of receiving and concealing stolen property. He was sentenced to 11 months in jail and three years’ probation after pleading responsible to the sequence of crimes.

McDowell received a beginning job on the Browns out of coaching camp and emerged right into a stalwart on the Cleveland defensive position. However in January, he was arrested on fees of aggravated battery on a legislation enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and public publicity in Florida. McDowell is unlikely to return to the Browns this season.

So far as Watson is worried, the Browns should have believed the chance was value it. The staff has not publicly talked concerning the commerce.

Incumbent quarterback Baker Mayfield had demanded a commerce and appeared useless set on by no means enjoying one other down for Cleveland after ESPN NFL insider Chris Mortensen reported Wednesday the staff was seeking to change him with “an grownup” on the place.

And the Browns already knew that and not using a premier quarterback they stood little likelihood of severely contending in a loaded AFC that now options star quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Josh Allen.

With its personal star quarterback on board, Cleveland now has a shot, if not in 2022 — assuming he’s suspended by the league — then in seasons to return.

Earlier than sitting out final season, Watson was a Professional Bowler in three straight seasons. In 2020, he handed for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

In 2019, he threw for a mixed 635 yards in Houston’s two playoff video games.

Throughout their assembly with Watson in Houston on Tuesday, the Browns had been in a position to efficiently promote him on his being the one lacking participant in an in any other case Tremendous Bowl-caliber offense, which incorporates All-Professional working again Nick Chubb, probably the most dominant offensive traces within the league and Professional Bowl broad receiver Amari Cooper, whom Cleveland landed in a commerce with Dallas final weekend.

The Browns now seem like a legit contender once more, maybe for the primary time since rejoining the NFL in 1999.

However the associated fee was excessive. And one Cleveland alone was determined sufficient to pay, regardless of its dangers.