Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is becoming a member of the Cleveland Browns, being traded to the AFC North franchise in a blockbuster transaction that features three first-round draft picks, a third-round choose in 2023, and a 2024 fourth-round choice in trade for the three-time Professional Bowl choice and a 2024 fifth-round draft choose, in accordance with league sources.
Watson may also get a five-year, absolutely assured $230 million contract for the very best assure in NFL historical past and features a $45 million signing bonus with a $1 million base wage within the first yr of his deal, per league sources.He’s due $184 million within the first 4 years of the deal and is on prime of his four-year, $156 million extension, per league sources.
The deal was negotiated by Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry and Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta.
Commerce phrases have been agreed to and can be submitted to the league workplace for ultimate approval, per a league supply.
Watson maintained an open thoughts all through recruiting course of whereas assembly with groups, per league sources, and shifted a couple of occasions earlier than finally choosing Browns with their aggressive roster and willingness to provide him a $230 million absolutely assured cope with a $45 million signing bonus.
The Texans acknowledged the importance of Watson’s no-trade clause and green-lit his capacity to fulfill with groups in a collaborative course of that led to a commerce.
Deshaun Watson traded to the Browns
The Browns had been knowledgeable Thursday that they had been eradicated from consideration together with the Carolina Panthers with Watson narrowing his determination to the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints earlier than the quarterback modified his thoughts Friday and shifted to the Browns, per sources.
The Browns had been certainly one of greater than a dozen suitors for Watson and finally grew to become the selection after he initially narrowed down the checklist to them, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints.
As Watson is being traded to the Browns, it would finish an extended, drawn-out course of that lasted greater than a yr. Watson has — and remains to be — working via a number of authorized points, however the largest hurdle was cleared when a grand jury opted to not indict him on costs. Watson remains to be dealing with 22 civil lawsuits by therapeutic massage therapists with allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate conduct
“Any transaction would don’t have any impact on the NFL’s ongoing and complete investigation of the intense allegations in opposition to Deshaun Watson,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy mentioned in an electronic mail. “Nor would it not have an effect on his standing underneath the Collective Bargaining Settlement and the Private Conduct Coverage. If the league’s investigation determines that Watson violated the Private Conduct Coverage, self-discipline could also be imposed pursuant to the coverage and the CBA.”
Watson’s present authorized standing
Whereas these authorized proceedings are anticipated to proceed to play out within the weeks forward, the Browns know that he can not face any prosecution on any of the fees, in accordance with Johna Stallings of the Harris County District Lawyer’s Workplace.
Watson is scheduled for a deposition on Tuesday to be held on the workplace of his lawyer, Rusty Hardin. It’s his third deposition within the lawsuits filed by Houston legal professional Tony Buzbee.
And whereas Watson may nonetheless be suspended by the NFL, the perspective of Cleveland is that the long-term payoff is price not having Watson for nevertheless many video games the NFL would droop him within the quick time period.
With Watson now out of Houston, the Texans can look forward and start constructing their future underneath common supervisor Nick Caserio and head coach Lovie Smith. They’ll have the draft capital to do exactly that.
The Browns will now look to commerce Baker Mayfield. A supply indicated beforehand that Mayfield would welcome a commerce to the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks.
How the Watson commerce got here collectively
Watson met with a number of groups this week, together with the Saints, Panthers, Browns, and Falcons. The Texans didn’t grant permission for any workforce to fulfill with him until they submitted a commerce proposal. That’s so time wasn’t wasted in case Watson waives his no-trade clause.
The Texans made it clear from the start that they had been on the lookout for three first-round draft picks, a package deal of different draft capital, and, doubtlessly, gamers in trade for Watson.
Watson prioritized groups which might be finest positioned to win a Tremendous Bowl, shared his imaginative and prescient for the best way to orchestrate an offense, have gifted personnel, and are a tradition match, in accordance with league sources.
The checklist of groups that made inquiries about Watson included the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Miami Dolphins, who had been as soon as aggressively pursuing Watson, didn’t provoke conversations this time round.
The Falcons and Saints had been the finalists when Watson knowledgeable the Browns they had been eradicated earlier than he modified his thoughts. The deal consists of $80 million greater than the earlier file for absolutely assured cash at signing.
Watson is a dynamic participant who led the NFL in passing yardage two seasons in the past. The previous first-round draft choose from Clemson will now take his multidimensional sport to Cleveland.
