CLEVELAND (SNN-TV) – The Cleveland Browns acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans for three first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as well as a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
The Texans are sending a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Browns in the trade as well.
The Browns are set to give Watson a new five-year, $230 million contract. He would receive $184 million over the first four years of his new contract, a $48 million raise over what he was scheduled to make under his current contract.
The full $230 million is guaranteed, setting a record for highest guarantee given to an NFL player.
Watson did not play last season after an offseason request to be traded and the emergence of 22 lawsuits against him alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. But 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.
Though he won’t face criminal charges, Watson could still face punishment from the NFL, and the 22 civil cases against him remain active.