Deshaun Watson traded to Cleveland Browns; QB set to signal deal value $230M assured, sources say

The Cleveland Browns have acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson in a commerce with the Houston Texans for first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024 in addition to a 2023 third-round choose and a 2024 fourth-round choose.

The Texans are sending a 2024 fifth-round choose to the Browns within the commerce as nicely.

The Browns are set to provide Watson a brand new five-year, $230 million contract, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He would obtain $184 million over the primary 4 years of his new contract — a $48 million increase over what he was scheduled to make beneath his present contract.

The total $230 million is assured, sources stated, setting a file for highest assure given to an NFL participant.

Watson will make $1,035,00zero in base wage in 2022, a supply confirmed to ESPN. That’s the quantity from which he would lose on a per-game foundation if Watson is suspended by the NFL over the allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct which have been made in opposition to the quarterback. NFL Community first reported on Watson’s 2022 base wage.

Texans common supervisor Nick Caserio stated in an announcement Friday that he believed buying and selling Watson “was the proper transfer for our group” because the workforce continues its rebuild.

“Our precedence proper now’s including gifted gamers to the muse now we have already put in place over the past 15 months and this commerce helps that plan,” Caserio stated. “As we navigate by the remainder of the offseason, we stay open-minded to all avenues that enable us to enhance our roster and add to our program.”

The 26-year-old quarterback shared an Instagram post exhibiting himself in a Browns uniform and writing, “Cleveland, LETSSSS GOOOO!! #DawgPound Prepared To Work!”

Watson’s transfer to the Browns opens up the possibility for quarterback Baker Mayfield to discover a new workforce. Mayfield had requested a commerce out of Cleveland, he instructed Schefter earlier this week, however a supply had beforehand instructed ESPN’s Jake Trotter that the Browns wouldn’t accommodate that request.

The Browns — in addition to the Carolina Panthers — had believed they have been out of the operating to amass Watson, who had additionally been contemplating becoming a member of the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Browns officers met with Watson on Tuesday in Houston.

After lacking out on Watson, the Saints are anticipated to contemplate re-signing free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston, sources instructed Schefter.

Watson didn’t play final season after an offseason request to be traded and the emergence of 22 lawsuits in opposition to him alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct throughout therapeutic massage periods. However a Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on prison prices final Friday, signaling the top of prison proceedings associated to him in Harris County. Commerce talks between the Texans and groups started quickly after.

Earlier than assembly with the Browns on Tuesday, Watson answered questions on two of the 22 lawsuits filed in opposition to him throughout ongoing depositions, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Tony Buzbee, instructed KHOU 11. Watson had invoked his Fifth Modification proper in opposition to self-incrimination when sitting for 2 periods of depositions that started Friday.

“I am simply going to maintain preventing to rebuild my title and rebuild my look locally,” Watson stated Friday after the grand jury determination, chatting with reporters for the primary time in over a 12 months.

Although he will not face prison prices, Watson might nonetheless face punishment from the NFL, and the 22 civil circumstances in opposition to him stay lively.

A spokesperson for the NFL, which is investigating Watson beneath its private conduct coverage, stated in an announcement final Friday, “We’ve been intently monitoring all developments within the matter.”

Watson requested the Texans to commerce him in January 2021, citing the method Houston used to rent Caserio earlier that month. The primary lawsuit in opposition to Watson was filed in March 2021, and he was a wholesome scratch for all 17 video games final season whereas being paid his $10.54 million base wage.

A Professional Bowler in three straight seasons earlier than 2021, Watson joins a Browns offense that options one of many prime dashing assaults within the league, led by Professional Bowl operating again Nick Chubb. Cleveland additionally has traded for Professional Bowl wideout Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys.

Following the information that Watson selected Cleveland as his most popular vacation spot, the Browns’ odds to win the Tremendous Bowl went from 40-1 to 20-1, whereas their odds to win the AFC moved from 18-1 to 10-1.

Watson was chosen within the first spherical of the 2017 NFL draft after the Texans traded with the Browns to maneuver as much as the No. 12 choose. Watson can be slated to return to Houston within the 2022 season when the Browns play on the Texans.

Mayfield, in the meantime, has endured a tumultuous, up-and-down tenure in Cleveland. He turned simply the third quarterback in NFL historical past to play for 4 head coaches throughout his first three seasons within the league with the identical workforce.

Mayfield rebounded to guide Cleveland to its first playoff victory in 26 years in the course of the 2020 season. However in Week 2 of final season, he suffered a torn labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder and struggled the remainder of the way in which. He completed 27th within the NFL in QBR because the Browns went 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

Mayfield underwent surgical procedure to restore the labrum Jan. 19 and is predicted to be absolutely cleared nicely earlier than coaching camp. He’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal, which can pay him $19 million in 2022.