In a stunning turn of events, the Browns seem to have emerged as the winners of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. He has changed course and is now willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Cleveland. A new deal appears to be place confirming that he will now be the starting quarterback of the Browns (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
Rapoport details that Watson’s new contract is for five years and a fully guaranteed $230MM. That would shatter the previous record for guaranteed compensation by a margin of $80MM. In a follow-up, he notes that his 2022 base salary is only $1MM, something agreed upon due to the likelihood of a suspension. Watson was set to earn $35MM in 2022 on his previous deal, which ran until 2026.
Rapoport confirms that the trade is a done deal (Twitter link). The Browns are sending Houston three first round picks, as well as a third-rounder. The teams are also swapping fourth and fifth round selections. His colleague James Palmer adds that the Falcons thought they were “very close” to landing Watson, a Georgia native (Twitter link). However, late in contract talks his asking price became too high. The same is reportedly true for the Panthers, per Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).
Texans general manager Nick Caserio released a statement which reads in part, “I felt [the trade] was the right move for our organization as we head into the new league year… Our priority right now is adding talented players to the foundation we have already put in place… and this trade supports that plan” (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Owner Cal McNair adds that he is “extremely proud” of Caserio’s handling of the situation.
Watson was reportedly torn on his decision, which was said to be down to Atlanta and New Orleans as recently as last night. That had come out after the Browns were thought to be eliminated from contention even earlier, albeit not because Watson had felt anything but flattered by his meetings with Cleveland’s front office. Now, as a result of the team’s commitment to meet the Texans at their stated trade price, and invest more in Watson with regards to a contract than any other suitor, he will be headed to Ohio.
Not surprisingly, Rapoport adds that Baker Mayfield is not part of the trade (Twitter link). It had been reported earlier that his preference was not Houston. Despite the team’s stated intention of denying his trade request made as a result of the their attempt to replace him, the Browns are now “expected” to move Mayfield, per Rapoport.
The Watson acquisition represents the second significant move made by the Browns to upgrade their offense. They traded for Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper to lead their passing game, something which stands to be drastically improved with these two new pieces.
While many have noted that the Browns and Texans are scheduled to play each other in 2022, it remains to be seen if Watson will face league discipline as a result of the ongoing sexual misconduct allegations made against him. As for the rest of the quarterback market, Mayfield joins Jimmy Garoppolo as the other signal-caller thought to be destined for a new home. Jameis Winston, meanwhile, remains one of the top free agents; this news could further point to him remaining in New Orleans. The same may very well be true of Matt Ryan in Atlanta.
Wow. Did not see that coming. For sure thought one of the NFC South teams was going to walk away with him. Kind of a full circle turn of events as Cleveland originally traded the pick to Houston.
5 picks, 3 1st rounders. Man.
Well put
And $230M, you know, walking around money.
I thought we were watching “Draft Day”
Birds of a feather fly together.
He will now be the starting quarterback? You mean after he serves his likely suspension?
$46,000,000 a year?? For THIS guy? Regardless of the law issues, he’s not worth that kind of money. He hasn’t even played in a LONG TIME and likely won’t play for a while. WTG Cleveland.
Go look at his last season. Might be a garbage monster of a person but pretending like he wasn’t one of the top QBs last time he played is dumb.
Automatically expecting he is going to be as good as he was the last time he played after this long layoff and all of the personal things that have happened in his life, is dumb.
Automatically thinking time off at a position not dependent on running is also dumb. Oh he suddenly forgot how to throw a football at a high level? Miss me with that stupid take.
Weird that he has 17 rushing TD’s and nearly 1,700 rushing yards in his short 3 1/2 year career. Continue to carry his jock all you want, he isn’t going to step into his old shoes and be the player he was after taking a year and a half off. But go head and think he will; I know you’re smarter than everyone else. Maybe try doing SOME research too. Maybe you won’t come off QUITE as stupid.
Adrian Peterson came back from almost a year’s suspension and had an All-Pro season in 2015 at the age of 30 (and that’s after he returned from an ACL tear and almost broke the single-season yards record in 2012).
Michael Vick came back from his two-year suspension, sat on the bench for a year and had a Pro Bowl season at 30.
Jim Plunkett rode the pine for almost two whole seasons in the late ’70’s (at 31 and 32) and then won two Super Bowls in four years.
If Watson plays this season, he’ll be only 27 and likely in peak physical condition. I wouldn’t bet against him.
Yeah, but the Browns aren’t looking for one great year like AP and Vick had, they want 5
Great years
Yes, and Watson is three years younger than they were when they returned. Or you could compare Watson to the Peterson who returned from his ACL tear in 2012. Hell, Peterson was still running for a thousand yards in 2018.
At his age, there is little reason to think that Watson won’t come back as good as ever for the next five to 10 years.
Tom Brady missed a season because of injury and never was the same.
That there is some grade “A” sarcasm. Well done.
You’re comparing this clown to the GOAT? Come on man.
You’re reaching. Being younger means you can come back faster.
I’m sure that Deshaun will play into his age 45 season, right? Try to stay on topic in that he hasn’t played for a long time and likely won’t be as good as he was for a while and certainly isn’t worth $46,000,000 average annually. Comparing him and his work ethic to Brady is nonsensical.
The one guy who thinks Watson is suddenly just going to be not good because he was out for a season. Not taking hits.
You’re not even arguing that it’s on the merits of what he was accused of but that he’s not good. It’s a loser argument.
When guys are out for a season and come back from injury and end up all-pros, there is skepticism. But the only argument now is that he’s a trash bag person. Not that he isn’t a good QB.
He missed 1 season,you’re talking long layoff like he missed 3 or 4
Agreed. Uber talented also an Uber jerk
22 pending sexual misconduct suits and will likely face a 10-12 game suspension. All that while the browns kicked mayfield in the balls and told reporters they want an “adult” playing QB. The NFL and the owners are turning into a complete joke
10-12? When’s the last time someone got an official suspension that large? Josh Gordon’s indefinite suspension for weed? Yeah. At best he’ll end up with a 6 game suspension reduced to 3-4.
Sorry but I’m not a believe in the nfl delivering on a moral standard.
Watson won’t be getting the Rothlisberger suspension 6 games reduced to 4. Big Ben sexually harassed 1 female. Watson has 22 civil suits pending so his suspension will be much larger. 12 games probably reduced 10 I’m guessing
Big Ben allegedly raped two females. Watson couldn’t get past a grand jury. Y’all want to make these Guys criminals so bad
Big Ben received a 6 game suspension reduced to 4 Watson will get a much larger suspension if it were me I’d suspend him all year.
Big Ben was accused of rape and only got 6 games
Where there’s smoke there’s fire
No chance it 12 games. I can guarantee the teams trading for.him had talked to to the NFL about what the likely outcome of the suspension would be. Regardless he is only getting paid $1,000,000 this season.
Js theres no way they do this deal and give him 230 million if they don’t believe he’ll play this season. That would be beyond reckless…. But also kinda on brand lol
He is only making 1 million this season.
Imagine being a rapist and get 230/5
Trevor Bauer got 3 years 102 million.
That was before his allegations came up though
2021 wasn’t the first time Bauer was involved in domestic abuse stuff, unfortunately. 2017 and 2020
link to washingtonpost.com
That was before the allegations. Bauer is still suspended.
Wonder how long Watson will be suspended by the NFL as there still is a little matter of 23 accusers in civil action.
Bauer had allegations and a retraining order back in 2017 and 2020. Im sure the Dodgers were well aware.
link to washingtonpost.com
Bauer was indicted. Deshaun was not. Big difference in culpability.
Bauer is not and hasn’t been suspended. He’s on administrative paid leave pending an investigation.
Yup, Similar to what Texans did to Watson last year. Bauer is not officially suspended by the MLB.
link to latimes.com
Trevor’s deal was before he was accused, this new deal is after 22 women came out.
Both are disgusting human beings if true!
Bauer had allegations and a retraining order back in 2017 and 2020.
link to washingtonpost.com
Bauer signed that contract before those issues came out.
So the Dodgers gave him 102 mill knowing he had a history with this stuff in 2017 and 2020?
link to washingtonpost.com
Bauer was signed prior to those accusations.
2017 and 2020
link to washingtonpost.com
Yeah and give it enough time and he’ll be throwing passes to their new wide receiver Henry Ruggs III! They entitlement of the rich and famous is sickening!
Being a rapist and getting huge $$$?? Just ask Ben Rothelsrapist
Rape is a criminal charge, Watson is only facing civil cases. He’s not being charged or tried for rape.
He’s not even being accused of rape by any of these women. There is a big difference between trying to get someone to touch your peepee during a massage and rape. Both wrong but one is way more wrong.
Wow, lots of rape defenders on this board.
Not surprised it’s the Cleveland Browns who give that kind of money to a Rapist
Imagine Calling someone a rapist with no facts
Imagine living your life with your head up your arse.
Go look up the facts and get back to me chump!
Yeah look up the facts and get back to him chump. Binnington is right, nothing happened at all. Everything is made up. Good job Binnington
Where did I say nothing happened and it was all made up?!?! You know you’re a clown. Trying to play holier than thou on a message board. I guarantee you are a big Jerry Falwell Jr. fan too. I can peg a guy like you from a mile away.
Yeah imagine
Talk about a last minute twist. Baker to the Colts?
Please no
Baker to Saints?
is that doable cap-wise?
Yeah. Saints carved out enough room to absorb Watson. So they should have enough room for Baker.
The article will probably get updated soon as the details emerge, but are we sure Baker is not going to the Texans as part of the deal?
They added this to the updated article
Not surprisingly, Rapoport adds that Baker Mayfield is not part of the trade (Twitter link). It had been reported earlier that his preference was not Houston. Despite the team’s stated intention of denying his trade request made as a result of the their attempt to replace him, the Browns are now “expected” to move Mayfield, per Rapoport.
Well then let the predictions begin! Colts trade a 4th and a 6th is my bet.
They’re getting more than that for Mayfield.
I doubt it. He’s essentially on a one year deal coming off a big injury and played pretty poorly last year. If they’re expecting more, they’re going to be disappointed.
Being on a one year deal is probably a good thing. Teams aren’t on the hook for a bad contract. Wentz, Goff, Tannehill
That’s a good point, but I still don’t think they’ll get much for him.
They may not even trade him. May need him to start while Watson serves his suspension. Giving up all they did, they can’t punt this year away waiting for suspension to be done and start over next year
Maybe try to get Tyrod Taylor back as their place holder for Watson?
Taylor signed with the Giants.
I figured he had signed with someone, but that they could trade for him if they liked him enough as a bridge starter and back-up.
yes sir! go browines
So Mayfield will end up in Houston?
I don’t think that’s part of the plan. Mayfield did request a trade, but I don’t know if he retains a day over where he goes.
Say over where he goes, I meant. However, he did grow up in Austin and his father played for the University of Houston, so he does have connections to the area.
Is it april 1st
And the Texans got everything they wanted.
Wonder when Watson will actually suit up and play.
The shady business man Haslam gets it done with huge cash offer… Bigger question is what was the trade compensation.. going to be tough to build a team when Watson and Garrett are.making almost a third of the payroll . Make Garrett available now and recoup the picks to acquire Watson..
3 firsts and 2 other picks
Browns probably overpaid in draft picks too since they burned the bridge with their current QB and had no one to turn to
Hide your wives, Cleveland.
Unless your wife is a “massage therapist” she should be ok.
For 15 years I’ve had to listen to “Ben is a r*pist” but now the browns get Watson and everyone seems to forget… oh Browns fans… you are a joy… BuT hE wAsNt CoNvIcTeD
OJ wasnt convicted either
Not of the murders, but he was found liable civilly for wrongful death and he was convicted of armed robbery in connection to memorabilia.
Watson could be found civilly liable as well.
He was a rapist tho. How does this let him off the hook?
Wasn’t my argument. I’m talking about browns fans… Move along
But that’s the argument you’re leveraging whether you intend to or not. Always justifications when it comes to assault from your type. Move on? Sure, this is pointless but you can’t walk away from your character.
Looks like the Browns were the team willing to guarantee him the most money.
Money talks, he listened…..
He needs every penny got the civil suits
Just curious if those legions of Browns fans who spent years on these threads talking s**t about Roethlisberger and his alleged misdeeds, will all of you be holding true and slamming the Browns and Watson now?
Nope, they ignore it. It’s only convenient when they’re talking about the QB that only lost to them 3 times in 18 years
My best friend is a Browns fan and is absolutely disgusted. Unlike Steelers nation that defended Roethlisberger like he was a saint I think most Browns fans are pretty grossed out by the whole thing.
Not likely. If you truly think “most” Browns fans will be/are disgusted, you’re Kidd yourself.
There’s a poll on Cleveland.com that currently shows only 1/3 of voters supporting the trade. Far from scientific, I know – but many of my fellow Cleveland fans are not excited about this trade.
So glad the saints didn’t pay him that much
That team is a complete sham and that ownership group should be run out of town on a rail. Absolutely ridiculous. I feel sorry for those fans.
Happy ending.
The Cleveland Steamers strike again! Looks like the cap and draft picks are gone….. lol
H totally moronic deal
Fully guaranteed fir a guy who hasn’t been able to take team on shoulders
Management just killed that franchise for next 5 yrs
Must have got the Mike Ditka bet the house on a wish and a prayer aka Ricky Williams era
“Fully guaranteed fir a guy who hasn’t been able to take team on shoulders”
I admit I haven’t followed his career, sports is life, but before Watson turned 25, he’d led his team to the playoffs twice and won a game with a passer rating of 121.2. And the Texans were up 24-0 the following week – 14 points off of Watson’s throwing – before the Chiefs went on a 51-7 run, during which Watson did not turn over the ball.
I wouldn’t say the story of Watson’s football career is set in stone just yet.
Trade Baker to the Steelers for Rudolph. I don’t want Baker and he doesn’t make much sense but… just to see Garrett have to deal with him as a teammate would be reward enough.
Evidently an extra $11 million a year will get you back in the picture.
The commute to Texas from Cleveland for 22 civil trials is a long one.
Then again, $230 million gives you a lot of payoff money.
Where’s my comment Adam La Rose?
Are racist assumptions and clamoring for no due process the only comments you allow on your posts?
Sorry I’m not racist and anti-constitution enough for you.
Texans fan laughing all the way to the draft. So happy to see DW gone. Won’t deny his competitive nature and never quits on a play. However, he does not have elite arm talent.
Good for the Texans fans. After BOB the GM destroyed that team and then the Watson stuff, it must be nice to see things looking up for a change.
I will laugh and laugh if Watson gets a 10 game suspension.
He should get 10 games for each accuser. So like 220 games, but 1 game per accuser sounds like a starting point!
He’s being accused of trying to convince women who were giving him a massage to touch his peepee and give him a happy ending. Also showing his peepee to some of the accusers. The 2 women that have actually accused him of sexual assault were for grabbing one of their bottoms and grabbing another’s whowho. Yeah, 220 games sounds about right for that.
He is being accused of sexual assault, that’s a little more then asking someone to touch his peepee
the sexual assault was for grabbing an a$$ and another womans vagina. Those are the 2 sexual assaults. The other 20 accusations are for sexual lewd acts which includes exposes himself, moving his body in a manner that made his peepee touch a woman massaging him, and trying to convince girls to perform oral or happy endings during massage. Again, those shouldn’t be taken lightly but people keep saying Rape. Not one women of these 22 are accusing him of that.
Each one of those actions are violations of the personal conduct policy. Each time. All that I am saying is that calling them collectively one violation is pretty generous, actually, when each incident should be punishable on its own. So will it only cover past incidents or the next one too?
Sounds like we are in agreement. Hiring a person to do a job then asking them to perform sexual acts on you is a violation of the NFL personal conduct policy. We know he violated that policy at least 22 times. Each one should be punishable.
Cleveland – but he was never convicted!!
OJ Simpson – Good point!!!
Well will probably get a few of those picks back from the colts in a baker deal
Browns have no leverage with Baker. They would be lucky if they got a 4th for him.
More teams need a quarterback so there will be a market for Mayfield
Garbage gets rewarded!
WOW! Massive overpay both in the contract and the picks. Especially for a dude that hasn’t played in a year and has some off the field concerns. This is shocking on several levels.
For everyone questioning such a deal for “a dude that hasn’t played in a year,” you all have heard of the Comeback Player of the Year Award, right?
I’ve previously mentioned Adrian Peterson, Michael Vick and Jim Plunkett as examples of players who lost or sat all or most of one to three years and yet had significant success when they finally got back on the field, and Watson is at least three years younger than each of them. But I’ll add another name, Keenan Allen, who missed almost a season-and-a-half and came back to make the Pro Bowl five straight years.
Didn’t Joe Burrow basically just miss an entire year then came back and led his team to the Super Bowl the very next season?
I didn’t include Burrow because when I looked him up, I saw that he had only missed the last six games of the 2020 season.
Dang i thought it was more. Well TB12 did miss an entire season and came back decent. There are tons of players though that have either missed an entire season or a large chuck of a season and came back just as good. Its even a lot harder to come back from an injury than just sitting out a year unless he’s just been sitting home drinking beer and eating pizza.
There has never been a PFR article in its history that was more appropriately ended with “More to Come” than this one. Looks like another happy ending is in the works.
Need to add another elite WR
Julio is to old, OBJ and Landry obviously aren’t coming back, apparently Rob Woods is available via trade.
However what about Kareem Hunt for Brandin Cooks.
Hunts deal is due to expire end of the season. Watson knows Cooks well and will continue to get the best out of of him. Texans have a clear need at RB.
Watson Chubb Cooper Cooks Njoku and that O line you’ll be headed straight for the playoffs
Johnny Manziel III (or is it the IV, I can’t remember)
Mayfield has to stay in Cleveland until after the suspension. He will be a mid season trade. Cleveland is probably hoping that he looks at it as a try-out for other teams situation and balls out.
I think he won’t report if he isn’t moved. He has asked for a trade before this deal was announced.
Guess they offered him his own personal masseuse?
Heh, so in like 8 games in he gets injured and then Case Keenum comes to the rescue. LOL
An injury would create a roster opening for Kizer or Glennon so this could get real ugly for Brown fans.
The Browns luck will be that he gets suspended and while suspended, one of his civil cases goes to trial, horrid details emerge, his accuser ends up on The Today Show and he ends up so toxic that THEY are forced to bench him.
With a FULLY guaranteed contract.
“I don’t care if he put a gun to the head of a woman’s child, he’s MY QB!” – Jimmy “The Fraudster” Haslam.
Good luck.
I’m not familiar with Cleveland. Will there be enough massage parlors and chickenheads to keep Watson happy??? And what about if you host the Patriots and old man Kraft comes to town??
We’ll there must not have Ben in Houston either as he was flying those girls in from out of town.
Cleveland may not be inclined to immediately trade Baker if they know Watson will likely be suspended for about half the season. They could hold him until the trade deadline. He probably will go before the draft, though.
They need to trade Baker to make the trade work for Watson. The quicker Baker is shipped out the Watson trade becomes official!
Baker to the Colts ? Or Baker to Saints?
Does that contract include an adequate number of massage therapists?
Hope they sup suspended em 2 yrs
ITS THE BROWNS WHAT DO YOU EXPECT
GO RAVENS
Maybe finally Browns fans can have a football season with a happy ending.
This is why you shouldn’t pay for this site. It’s just rumors didn’t they say browns were ruled out and it was down to falcons and saints. Failed reporting
Maybe that is why it is called profootballrumors and not profootballfacts?
Duh. Why do you think I said it’s rumors. Take your 3rd grade reading level and bother someone else
If you don’t want to read rumors from across all sorts of sources why are you here? Perhaps you should take your high reporting standards elsewhere instead of complaining when rumors turn out to be … duh, rumors.
Dude, they’re a content aggregator. They don’t come up with these takes. Many, many sources were reporting that the Browns were out of it. PFR reported that. They didn’t make it up out of thin air.
I don’t think you understand what this site is.
It’s a rumor site aka guesses. Why pay money for guesses? If you tools can be taken for your money have fun
Again, they’re not making any guesses. They’re not creating any of the rumors. They’re a content aggregator. I don’t think you understand what this site is.
Wait, some people pay for this site?
You don’t see the posts begging for it? Tim dierkes baseball chat even had an advertisement for it. Don’t waste your money
@rct Don’t you have some whining about the knicks to do ?
They just report on other sites information/ rumors. This site brings them all into one place. So no they didn’t post false information they report on the experts information.
Oh no. That means my Seahawks are gonna deal for Mayfield. I think I’m gonna get be sick…
Have you seen Drew Lock play? If not, I have some bad news for you
Mayfield is a shorter and slower version of Lock.
Agree but it’s apparent they’re not looking at Lock for the long term solution. Hoping it’s not Mayfield either…
Hope the Saints will go after Baker.
Fully guaranteed? Their desperation is bad for the league.
First order of business for him is to have Kareem Hunt show him around town…two good dudes that know how to treat a woman right.
I still see Cleveland as 3rd in division. Watson will be better than Baker but not Burrow or Jackson. The additions the Bengals have made to the line are huge. They just lost the Super Bowl by 3 points … beat KC twice … just saying … this division is a tough one for sure but I see it Bengals- Ravens – Browns – Steelers
Now it’s time for the league to step in and hand out his suspension. Lord knows they did it for less to others.
As a Cleveland fan, if this were the Patriots or the Cowboys or the Rams making this deal so many would be proclaiming it genius. This league is full of guys that have done less than stellar deeds or committed criminal acts , but because it’s the Browns all the haters are out. Andrew Berry is a tremendous GM and he made the deal. So many teams would kill to have a young and creative GM like him. The Browns are gonna be relevant again if not great in the coming seasons. So all of you pointing your moral compasses can stick it. It’s the name of the game and the Browns made the decision to go all-in!
Nope. Any team that acquired this guy would have to put up with this. He is a creep. This story will always be attached to him, and now he will always be attached to the Browns and the city. That’s what your team signed up for. We used to all kind of hoped the Browns could make a run. You know, like the NFL little brother. Now we all hope you suck and Houston uses your picks to build a winner. That is the other cost of trading for Watson.
Browns are just sad that they can’t acquire Aaron Hernandez to pair with Watson.
If Andrew Berry is such a creative young GM, let’s see him both raise the dead and bust them out of jail.
He found a whole new city to get massages in. Fathers, lock up your daughters!
They’ve already been on high alert since Kareem Hunt became a Brown.
Good thing the Browns found their “adult QB”, which by adult means he’s he’s committed adult offenses and not just juvenile. He’ll need that big contract to pay off the civil cases. Congrats!
At least those 22 women know how much money he has now.
So, I somehow missed the part where they are only paying him a $1 million salary for next year knowing he’ll be suspended…and that this is likely what changed Watson mind about going to Cleveland.
The Browns aren’t just acquiring Watson, they are aiding and abetting Watson.
The financial equivalent of hiding Watson in a closet when the cops come to door looking for him.
Truly shameful.
I was just thinking that one of the things that typified all of the horrible Browns teams is that they would inevitably make some out of the box move that made you think, “I hope these guys know what they are doing” when in your heart you knew they DIDN’T know what they were doing.
THAT is what this move is like.
This team was supposed to replace the old, desperate Browns. I guess now they are the NEW desperate Browns.
My guess is that Haslem made it clear that the current front office would lose their jobs if they didn’t go out and get a franchise quarterback NOW. So they did.
A team that is desperate has nothing to lose by taking a flyer but the Browns really aren’t in that position anymore which makes this move something of a head scratcher. Mayfield may not be elite but he was a major upgrade over Manziel and Kizer. The real problem is that everyone expects QBs to develop as quickly as Mahomes did which isn’t realistic.
They are going to lose their jobs anyway – as Watson’s falling out with Houston was mainly from his desire to be the guy picking the team’s next head coach/GM.
Looking at what the Browns gave up for Watson and what the Broncos gave up for Wilson, it appears that the Rams committed grand larceny when getting Stafford from the Lions by comparison.
Of course it could turn out that Houston and Seattle fleeced their respective trade partners.