Crossed off Deshaun Watson's list of potential landing spots earlier in the week, the Browns backed up the Brinks truck to see if they could tempt the Texans quarterback to reconsider.
He did.
Cleveland jumped back into the conversation by offering Watson a five-year deal that is fully guaranteed at $230 million. That was enough to get Watson to waive the no-trade clause in his contract and agree to join Cleveland.
The move also will cost Cleveland three first-round draft picks, a third-round draft pick and a fourth-round pick. Cleveland will get Watson and a fifth-round in return.
Watson, 26, did not play football last season after requesting a trade from the Texans in the 2021 offseason. He also has been facing 22 civil lawsuits for allegations of sexual assault. Criminal charges in those cases were not filed after depositions last week, clearing the way for Watson to be traded.
But he still faces what could very well be a lengthy suspension from the NFL once the smoke clears from all of this.
Watson had eliminated the Browns from contention early in the week, while the Panthers also had dropped out of the bid to acquire him, leaving only the Falcons and Saints remaining before Cleveland jumped back in.
The acquisition of Watson means Baker Mayfield will be moving on. The Browns picked up his fifth-year option last year and will owe him $18.5 million fully guaranteed. They will attempt to trade him, but it's unlikely that will happen since the Browns can't carry him on their roster in 2022.
Mayfield asked for a trade earlier in the week and reiterated that Thursday before this move was made.
If the Browns wind up releasing Mayfield, his entire salary would remain on their salary cap.
Earlier in the process, rumors had surfaced that Watson was interested in joining the Steelers. But the Steelers had no interest in acquiring the quarterback, opting instead to sign Mitch Trubisky earlier this week in free agency.
