Deshaun Watson Traded To The Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson has been traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for three first-round picks as well as two additional picks according to reports. The Watson trade to Cleveland ends a five-year and four-season stint with the Houston Texans.

Watson will also sign a five-year, $230 million contract with every dollar guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport.

Deshaun Watson will be going to the Cleveland Browns. #Browns #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/jMmS4P90RE

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) March 18, 2022

In a stunning turn of events, the Browns ultimately land the 26-year-old star quarterback after reports surfaced that Watson had eliminated Cleveland from contention earlier in the week. Focus then turned to the NFC South and primarily the Atlanta Falcons who seemed all but certain to land the former Clemson product.

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Watson now supplants Baker Mayfield as the Browns’ starting quarterback. Mayfield requested a trade just yesterday and was reportedly denied by the Browns. That sentiment has likely changed as there should be suitors for the former first overall pick. Teams like Indianapolis and Seattle immediately come to mind.

The Browns will now move into a new era under Watson and another 2022 acquisition, wide receiver Amari Cooper who came over from the Cowboys in a trade last week.

Watson is entering his sixth season in the NFL having played during four of those years. Of course, Watson sat on the sidelines all season as his legal issues played out in court. Ultimately, the grand jury declined to file criminal charges which were tinder for the Watson trade market.

However, the number of teams supposedly interested in Watson dwindled quickly as the Broncos swung a deal for Russell Wilson, the Commanders acquired Carson Wentz, and Tom Brady announced his return to the Buccaneers after a 40-day retirement. That left just the Saints, Seahawks, Browns, Falcons, and Panthers as the primary suitors for Watson’s services, which, may not be available right at the start of the season as the NFL could choose to suspend him as the civil suit against him stemming from the accusations is still ongoing.

Selected 12th overall by the Texans during the 2017 NFL Draft, Watson has a career record of 28-25 while completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions. In his final year with the Texans in 2020, he led the league in passing with 4,823 yards, however, Houston stumbled to a 4-12 record.