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Deshaun Watson has made up his thoughts.
In a shocking reversal Friday, the three-time Professional Bowl quarterback for the Houston Texans knowledgeable the Cleveland Browns he needs to play for them and can waive his no-trade clause in a deal, an individual with data of the scenario informed USA TODAY Sports activities on situation of anonymity. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the commerce was not but official.
The Browns and Texans subsequently labored out a commerce package deal by which Houston will obtain three first-round choices in addition to a third-round decide and a late-round decide swap, an individual with data of the deal informed USA TODAY Sports activities.
Watson later confirmed the information on Instagram, writing: “Cleveland, LETSSSS GOOOO!! 😤 #DawgPound Prepared To Work!”
Watson will obtain a completely assured five-year, $230 million contract from the Browns as a part of the deal, an individual with data of the deal informed USA TODAY Sports activities. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to reveal monetary phrases of the contract. The assure breaks the earlier excessive for an NFL contract, which was set by Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen in August 2021 with $150 million.
His 2022 base wage can be $1 million, which can function a possible safeguard towards a possible suspension from the NFL.
Watson, 26, sat out all of final season amid his commerce demand from the Texans and sequence of allegations of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage remedy classes, together with 22 civil lawsuits. A grand jury opted final Friday to not indict Watson on any of the 9 prison complaints towards him.
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By Monday, a number of groups had already lined up as suitors for the quarterback, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, permitting him to disclaim any vacation spot to not his liking. The Browns, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons all met with Watson this week, with the Saints assembly with him for a second time Wednesday. His camp knowledgeable the Browns on Thursday that they have been not into account, an individual accustomed to the scenario informed USA TODAY Sports activities. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to disclose particulars about Watson’s course of.
By Friday, nonetheless, Watson had apparently reversed course.
Watson nonetheless might face a suspension from the NFL below the league’s private conduct coverage, and the 22 civil lawsuits are nonetheless pending.
The Browns’ pursuit of Watson prompted quarterback Baker Mayfield to request a commerce from the workforce on Thursday, when it appeared the workforce was out of the working for the signal-caller’s providers.
“It’s within the mutual curiosity of either side for us to maneuver on,” Mayfield informed ESPN. “The connection is just too far gone to fix. It’s in the most effective pursuits of either side to maneuver on.”
The Browns initially made it clear that they’d not grant Mayfield’s request, an individual with data of the scenario informed USA TODAY Sports activities. With Watson within the fold, nonetheless, the previous No. 1 decide – and his absolutely assured $18.858 million wage – would seem like superfluous for Cleveland.
Mayfield will not be anticipated to be a part of the commerce with the Texans, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, and as an alternative can be moved in a separate deal.
Watson will face his former workforce sooner or later in 2022, when the Texans are scheduled to play host to the Browns.
Contributing: Jori Epstein
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