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Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson Gets Historic Contract With The Cleveland Browns

  • Justin Melo
  • March 18, 2022
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In an absolute stunning turn of events, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has reportedly agreed to join the Cleveland Browns. Watson has waived his no-trade clause in a deal that will see Cleveland send three first-round picks (2022-24), a third-round pick in 2023, and a fourth-round pick in 2024 to the Houston Texans in exchange for Watson and a fifth-round pick in 2024. Browns General Manager Andrew Berry swiftly signed Watson to a historic five-year contract extension worth a staggering $230 million, every cent of which is guaranteed. The extension shatters the previous record for fully guaranteed money awarded (previously $150.7 million to Aaron Rodgers) at the time of signing. The Browns will now honor Baker Mayfield‘s request to be traded, despite initially denying his demand for a change of scenery.

This announcement represents a massive victory that can not be overstated for a Browns franchise that maintained faith in their ability to ultimately land Watson despite early reports indicating the disgruntled signal-caller was prepared to accept a move to the Atlanta Falcons or New Orleans Saints. The relationship between Mayfield and the Browns organization had clearly soured and the Browns were hellbent on upgrading the position. Berry remained unwavering in his attempt to lure Watson to Cleveland and he’s now accomplished that previously unthinkable goal. Watson will be joined in Cleveland by an exciting new-look supporting cast that now possesses a legitimate wide receiver on the boundary in Amari Cooper. The Browns recently acquired Cooper from the Cowboys in exchange for a pair of Day 3 selections. A Cleveland team that recently employed Mayfield and not much at the receiver position has now upgraded their situation to include Watson and Cooper, which should quickly become one of the most feared quarterback-to-wide-receiver duos in the National Football League. Life comes at you fast in the best way imaginable, Cleveland fans.

Watson and Cooper will be surrounded by an excellent offensive line that remains largely intact and includes various high-level players such as Jedrick Wills Jr., Wyatt Teller, Joel Bitonio, and Jack Conklin. Cleveland’s offense has been one of the most efficient rushing offenses in recent seasons with the effective two-headed monster of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the backfield. Adding Watson (and Cooper) now gives the Browns something they’ve lacked in recent years, and that’s the ability to attack opposing defenses through the air and via the ground game. Don’t look now but Cleveland now possesses one of the most exciting do-it-all offenses in the entire league.

A grand jury has declined to indict Watson on sexual assault allegations but Watson continues to deal with the fallout of nearly two dozen civil lawsuits in relation to the alleged situation and a possible suspension could potentially arrive from the no-nonsense offices of Commissioner Roger Goodell. The fallout of the situation is worth monitoring given that the Browns have parted with several premium draft selections in order to acquire Watson, while quickly awarding him with $230 million in guaranteed money. Watson may still face consequences for his alleged actions and the Browns have made a choice to live with whatever outcome.

For the franchise on the other side of this historic agreement, the Texans have made the most of an unfortunate situation by swapping Watson for a king’s ransom of immediate and future draft capital. Texans general manager Nick Caserio possesses the abundance of resources necessary to build the Texans program from the ground up however he sees fit. In 2022, the Texans will now own the third-and-thirteenth (No. 3 and No. 13) overall selections in April’s draft. Caserio should be able to draft two game-changers with those selections as the Texans attempt to accelerate their rebuilding process. Several high-level talents at the offensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, and EDGE defender positions will be available for the Texans to draft as Caserio continues to revamp what’s essentially a blank-slated roster.

Another domino just landed in what’s undeniably been the wildest offseason in NFL history as the landscape of the absolutely loaded AFC just received another major unforeseen shakeup. A three-time Pro Bowler and one-time NFL passing yards leader (2020), Watson’s presence immediately catapults the Browns to legitimate contention status. Get your popcorn ready, Browns fans.

Written By

Justin Melo