Report: Details emerge on Deshaun Watson trade compensation
The Houston Texans are trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns, according to multiple reports. The offseason mega-deal ends the year-long saga between the Texans and their star quarterback, who requested a trade this offseason.
The details of the trade were released on Friday afternoon and the Cleveland Browns will be trading three first round picks and two additional picks to the Houston Texans, per NFL Network’s Albert Breer
Watson has thrown for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in his four-year NFL career so far. Watson also has 17 rushing touchdowns. He is a three-time Pro Bowler with 28 career wins.
The deal provides the Houston Texans with plenty of draft capital to invest in its full-scale rebuild, while the Browns receive one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. Despite an offseason dispute with current quarterback Baker Mayfield, who recently requested a trade, the team remains primed to compete in the AFC North.
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Watson’s best season with the Texans came in 2020 when he completed 70.2% of his passes for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. Houston went just 4-12 that season — Bill O’Brien’s last as head coach.
The Texans looked much different in 2021. O’Brien was out, and Watson didn’t play at all as his legal situation unfolded. That ended last week when a grand jury cleared him of all criminal charges stemming from 22 lawsuits against him.
“After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson,” a statement from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office read. “Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed.”
That’s when teams reached out to trade for Watson, and Houston told teams it was only interested in serious offers.
In fact, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said two teams — the Saints and the Carolina Panthers — made hefty offers for the former Clemson star, including multiple draft picks.
“The market for Deshaun Watson is heating up, and the hope and the belief is that he should have a decision — and the Houston Texans should have a decision — in the next several days before the start of free agency,” Rapoport said. “The New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers are among the teams that have made strong offers for Deshaun Watson.
“The offers are expected to be and believed to be in the range of three first-round picks and potentially more. This has been the price for Deshaun Watson, a franchise quarterback in his prime, locked up on contract for several years.”