Deshaun Watson trades with the Cleveland Browns; QB set to sign $230 million contract guaranteed, sources say

The Cleveland Browns midfielder has been acquired Deshaun Watson in dealing with Houston Texas for the first round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as well as the third round picks in 2023 and the fourth round picks in 2024.

The Texans are also submitting a 2024 fifth round pick to the Browns in the trade.

Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, The Browns will award Watson a new five-year, $230 million contract. He will receive $184 million over the first four years of his new contract — a $48 million increase over what he is expected to do under his current contract.

The entire $230 million is guaranteed, sources say, setting the record for the highest bail awarded to an NFL player.

Watson will earn $1,035,000 in base salary in 2022, a source confirmed to ESPN. That’s how much he would lose on a per-game basis if Watson were suspended by the NFL because sexual assault and inappropriate conduct allegations were made against the quarterback. The NFL Network first reported on Watson’s 2022 base salary.

Texas Superintendent Nick Caserio said in a statement Friday that he believes the Watson transaction “is the right step for our organization” as the team continues to rebuild.

“Our priority right now is to add talented players to the foundation we’ve put in place over the past 15 months and this acquisition supports that,” Caserio said. “As we navigate through the remainder of the season, we remain open to all avenues that allow us to improve the roster and add to our program.”

The 26-year-old midfielder shared a Instagram post showed herself in a Browns uniform and wrote, “Cleveland, LETSSS GOOOO!! #DawgPound Ready To Work!”

Watson’s move to Browns opens up opportunities for midfielders Baker Mayfield to find a new team. Mayfield requested a trade out of Cleveland, he told Schefter earlier this week, but a source previously told ESPN’s Jake Trotter that the Browns would not accommodate that request.

The Browns – as well Carolina Panthers – was convinced they couldn’t afford Watson, who was also considering joining New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Browns officials met with Watson on Tuesday in Houston.

After missing out on Watson, Saints are expected to consider re-signing the free-agent midfielder James Winstonsources told Schefter.

Watson did not compete last season after an out-of-season trade request and the appearance of 22 lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage sessions . But a grand jury in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges last Friday, signaling the end of criminal proceedings involving him in Harris County. Trade negotiations between the Texans and interest groups began shortly thereafter.

Before meeting the Browns on Tuesday, Watson answered questions about two of the 22 lawsuits filed against him during the ongoing deposit, the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, told KHOU 11. Watson invoked his Fifth Amendment to fight self-incrimination while sitting for two depositions that began on Friday.

“I will continue to fight to rebuild my name and rebuild my face in the community,” Watson said Friday after the grand jury’s decision, telling reporters for the first time. after more than a year.

Although he will not face criminal charges, Watson could still face retribution from the NFL and 22 civil cases against him are still in force.

A spokesman for the NFL, which is investigating Watson under its personal conduct policy, said in a statement last Friday, “We have been closely monitoring all developments on the matter. “

Watson asked the Texans to trade with him in January 2021, citing the process Houston used to hire Caserio earlier that month. The first lawsuit against Watson was filed in March 2021, and he was successful in all 17 games last season while being paid a base salary of $10.54 million.

As a Pro Bowler for three consecutive seasons before 2021, Watson joins the Browns offensive having one of the top pounding attacks in the league, led by the Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb. Cleveland also traded to expand the Pro Bowl Amari Cooper are from Dallas Cowboys.

Following the news that Watson chose Cleveland as his preferred destination, the Browns’ Super Bowl win rate increased from 40-1 to 20-1, while their AFC win rate went from 18-1 to 10-1.

Watson was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft after the Texans traded with the Browns to move up to the 12th pick. Watson is expected to return to Houston for the 2022 season when the Browns play in Texas.

Mayfield, meanwhile, has been through a tumultuous tenure, ups and downs in Cleveland. He became only the third quarterback in NFL history to play for four head coaches in his first three seasons in the league with the same team.

Mayfield recovered to lead Cleveland to his first playoff win in 26 years in the 2020 season. But in Week 2 of last season, he tore a left shoulder from a failure to throw and struggled throughout the interval. remaining road. He finished 27th in the NFL in QBR as the Browns went 8-9 and missed the knockout stages.

Mayfield underwent surgery to repair the lab on January 19 and is expected to be completely cleaned up before training camp. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which will pay him $19 million in 2022.