Deshaun Watson’s price went up in the Cleveland Browns 24 hours. It’s called football inflation.
The Cleveland Browns’ trade for the legally entangled quarterback was made official Sunday when the Browns completed the complicated deal and released statements by Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam describing their decision to add him on their roster after extensive investigation.
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler was accused by 22 female massage therapists of sexual misconduct.
The Browns also announced terms that were incorrect.
The NFL transactions wire reported that the Browns had traded for first- and fourth-round draft selections in 2022 (Nos. 13, 107, first- and third rounders in 2023, and first-and fourth-rounders 2024 to the Texans.
The Browns received Watson and a sixth-rounder for 2024 in exchange.
The original deal did not include the fourth-round selection this season. Instead, Cleveland received a fifth-rounder back in ’24.
The team didn’t give any reasons for the change.
Watson will be visiting Cleveland this week to undergo a physical. He will also be presented by the Browns during a news conference. The team is still working out plans, despite some criticism for trading Watson and giving Watson a $230 million guaranteed contract.
Watson will give depositions in Houston over the next two days to answer civil lawsuits brought by the women who claim that Watson sexually harassed and abused them during their massage therapy sessions.
Watson, 26, initially said to the Browns that he would not waive his no trade clause in order to join them. He later changed his mind. Watson was attracted to their impressive roster and was enticed with a contract that will pay him an annual salary of $46million, second only to the $50M Green Bay is paying Aaron Rodgers.
Watson could also be subject to discipline by the NFL. The NFL is conducting an independent investigation into Watson’s behavior.
Watson will not have to forfeit any money if he is suspended without pay. The Browns have set his contract with a $1.035m base salary — the league’s minimum wage for a player who has served his time — for next year’s season. Watson will be out for $57,500 if he is suspended.