The Houston Texans have reportedly agreed to ship the embattled Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns. Watson waived his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal. As part of the deal, Watson gets a new, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
The move gives Watson a new home less than two years after he signed his mega deal in Houston. More importantly, it brings a blockbuster end to trade speculation complicated by outstanding civil lawsuits against the QB, with 22 different women alleging sexual assault or misconduct, and the NFL still investigating the matter. Cleveland will surrender three first-round draft picks, as well as a third- and fifth-round pick, in exchange for the QB, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Deshaun Watson has decided he wants to play for the Cleveland Browns in a stunning change of events, per sources. Watson has informed the Houston Texans that he now is willing to waive the no-trade clause in his contract to be dealt to Cleveland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022
Browns are giving Deshaun Watson a new deal, per sources. The $184M over the first four years of this contract is a $48M raise over the $136M he was scheduled to make over the same four years on the previous contract – a $12M a-year raise in that span.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022