Deshaun Watson

2022 - 3 - 19

Texans get 'A' for historic haul while Browns land star QB (unknown)

Here's how we grade the Deshaun Watson blockbuster between Houston and Cleveland.

Having so many firsts also gives them the flexibility to move freely around the draft board if they identify a replacement for Watson in the future if 2021 third-rounder Davis Mills proves not to be the answer under center. For a franchise as starved for a Lombardi as the Browns are, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to see them push all their chips in the middle for this generational on-field talent. While the Los Angeles Rams and their mint Lombardi Trophy are proof that draft picks can successfully be thrown to the wayside in pursuit of a title, mortgaging the future for nearly a half-decade of first-round picks will require success quickly.

Post cover — Image courtesy of "State of The Texans"

Texans GM Nick Caserio: Deshaun Watson Trade 'The Right Move' (State of The Texans)

Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio spoke on the blockbuster deal that sent Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns.

"Our priority right now is adding talented players to the foundation we have already put in place over the last 15 months and this trade supports that plan," Caserio said. Deshaun Watson “Earlier today, we agreed to trade Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns,” Caserio said in the statement.

Deshaun Watson to the Browns is a squeamish blockbuster, but a ... (The Washington Post)

The stunning trade is the NFL in nutshell: riveting sports with troubling undertones.

Teams have the financial flexibility to make massive deals; general managers have the nerve; and players have the desire. They may pursue a quarterback themselves — General Manager Nick Caserio was in New England when the Patriots drafted Garoppolo — or they may stick with Davis Mills, who outperformed expectations in his rookie season. The rising salary cap, an aggressive fleet of general managers and a generation of antsy athletes have conspired to change that. Around dominating defensive end Myles Garrett, innovative young General Manager Andrew Berry has built one of the best, fastest defenses in the NFL. Watson can hand the ball to Nick Chubb, among the best running backs in the league. The Buffalo Bills landed Von Miller. The Denver Broncos supersized their pass rush with free agent Randy Gregory. The conferences have not been this lopsided since the Cowboys and 49ers reigned over the NFC in the early to mid-1990s. Watson’s move from the Texans to the Browns, made with presumed NFL discipline pending after Watson sat out last season owing to the legal cloud and his estrangement from Houston’s blundering management, sends ripples through a league already steeped in quarterback movement that feels unprecedented.

Deshaun Watson: Cleveland Browns trade for Houston Texans ... (Sky Sports)

Deshaun Watson is set to sign a record-breaking deal with the Cleveland Browns and says he is "ready to work".

But also ready to get on the field, and prep for that." "I know we're far from being done of handling what we need to handle on the legal side, but today is definitely a big day. "Our priority right now is adding talented players to the foundation we have already put in place over the last 15 months and this trade supports that plan. I'm just going to keep fighting to rebuild my name and rebuild my appearance in the community, and on the legal side handle what we need to handle. Watson has waived the no-trade clause in his contract with the Houston Texans to be traded to the Browns and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report the quarterback will get a fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230m - a record for the most guaranteed money given to a player in a single contract, beating the previous record of $150m. Deshaun Watson is set to sign a record-breaking deal with the Cleveland Browns and says he is "ready to work".

At what price? Deshaun Watson trade might cost Cleveland Browns ... (ESPN.co.uk)

What did it cost the Browns to bring Deshaun Watson to Cleveland? Essentially, everything, including putting their image and reputation on the line.

But in January, he was arrested on charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence and public exposure in Florida. McDowell is unlikely to return to the Browns this season. He was sentenced to 11 months in jail and three years' probation after pleading guilty to the series of crimes. Two months later, he was found in possession of a stolen truck, leading to another charge of receiving and concealing stolen property. The Browns did receive a 2024 fifth-round pick in return. That's what it took for the Browns to climb back into the mix for Watson, who on Thursday had eliminated Cleveland from consideration. As it stands, the NFL could suspend Watson for a minimum of six games through its code of conduct policy for violations related to sexual assault.

LeBron James Celebrates the Browns Trading for Deshaun Watson on Twitter (unknown)

Editor's note: This story contains accounts of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual ...

Each game that Watson misses from a potential suspension would cost him $55,556, a source told SI‘s Albert Breer, instead of the much more significant number if his contract was laid out in a more traditional way. A full timeline of the allegations against Watson and how the legal situation has played out over the last year is available here. Although James was outwardly excited that the Browns acquired Watson, the trade for the 26-year-old quarterback was met with widespread backlash on Friday. Although he will not face criminal charges, Watson still faces 22 active civil lawsuits that allege sexual harassment and assault.