Deshaun Watson finally landed with a new NFL team, and in the process got a new contract, too.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Watson, the former Houston Texans quarterback who starred at Clemson, has landed with the Cleveland Browns. Watson agreed to the deal with the Browns after he drew interest from the likes of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.
His deal is $184 million over the first 4 years of the new contract.
Previously, ESPN reported that Watson did not play last season following an offseason request to be traded and the emergence of 22 lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.
A Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges last Friday, signaling the end of criminal proceedings related to him in Harris County and kick-starting trade talks between the Texans and interested teams.
The lawsuits, which are separate from the criminal case, are still pending. Watson answered questions on two of the lawsuits during ongoing depositions Tuesday.
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
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
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
