The same week that Deshaun Watson’s camp told the Cleveland Browns they were out of the race for his services, they announced that the former Clemson QB would indeed be joining the Dawg Pound afterall.
Cleveland and Houston are in the midst of finalizing a trade that would see Watson and a 5th round pick sent to the Browns in exchange for three 1st round picks, a third round pick, and a fourth rounder.
As part of the deal, Cleveland is preparing to give Watson a 5 year $230M contract, all of which is guaranteed money. The $230M fully guaranteed deal sets the new record for the highest guarantee in NFL history.
The 26 year old has informed Houston that he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate the deal. Watson did not suit up in 2021 following a request to be traded and 22 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. However a Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on any criminal charges last week, reigniting the trade market for the dual threat QB.
It was rumoured that the Watson sweepstakes was down to the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, following reports that Carolina and Cleveland were informed they were no longer options. In the fallout of that news, current Browns QB Baker Mayfield then requested a trade out of town which the Browns initially refused to accommodate.
However something clearly happened behind closed doors that necessitated a change in the Cleveland front office’s stance, which led to them circling back to Watson and ultimately pulling the trigger on a deal. The former 12th overall draft pick in 2017 now joins a Browns team that finds itself in the midst of an offensive makeover at the moment.
Cleveland previously acquired former Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper in a separate deal, while also releasing Odell Beckham Jr last season, and Jarvis Landry during the offseason.
Meanwhile, this now makes for an awkward situation with incumbent starter Baker Mayfield, as there remains the very real possibility that Watson could still be suspended for his off field conduct by the NFL. Will the Browns now flip the former Heisman trophy winner prior to the draft in an effort to recoup some assets?
Or will the team attempt to hold on to him in the event that Watson is suspended for a significant portion of the 2022 season? Mayfield is currently entering the final year of his rookie contract which will see him paid $19M in 2022, which would make him one of the most expensive backup QBs in league history.
Originally selected 1st overall in the 2018 NFL draft, the former Sooners star has had an up and down career in Cleveland. He’s been both praised and scorned, sometimes simultaneously, by the fanbase of late. The 26 year old QB took Cleveland to the playoffs two years ago for the first time since 2002, but battled injuries throughout 2021 as the Browns ultimately missed the postseason.
While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, the Indianapolis Colts have quietly emerged as frontrunners for Mayfield’s services should the Browns elect to flip him in the coming days.