Browns to acquire Deshaun Watson - This Is Believeland

After initially telling the Browns that they were no longer in consideration, Deshaun Watson has since reversed course, deciding to come to Cleveland.

Deshaun Watson plans to waive his no-trade clause to the #Browns, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Yes, the Browns!!

Trade compensation still to be finalized with the #Texans, but Watson has made his choice: He expects to go to Cleveland.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022

Cleveland will send three fist round picks, a third round pick, and a fourth round pick to Houston for Deshaun Watson and a fifth round pick.

What is now thought to be the final compensation in today’s seismic trade:

🏈Browns get: Deshaun Watson and a 5th-round pick.

🏈Texans get: three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick. https://t.co/nOtoRVIlGp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022

The Browns are also agreeing to a new five-year $230 million contract with Watson.

Deshaun Watson gets a fully guaranteed 5 year $230M contract. That is $80M more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing ($150M). This deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. https://t.co/nQls9WRpD1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that every dollar in the deal is guaranteed, a new record for most guaranteed money.

Every dollar of Deshaun Watson’s new five-year, $230 million deal is guaranteed, per sources, setting a new record for the highest guarantee given to an NFL player. @Browns and Watson’s agent @DavidMulugheta combine to make history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022

According to Rapoport, the Browns kept on recruiting after being told they were not in consideration. The team will now be in position to trade Baker Mayfield, who requested a trade and was (temporarily) told that would not happen.

While football is the initial focus, there is still the legal issues surrounding Deshaun Watson. While he will not face criminal charges in the accusations of sexual assault, there are 22 civil lawsuits that are pending. That is in addition to how/if the NFL decides to punish Watson.

InCleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, NFL

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