Deshaun Watson stunned the sports world on Friday when he chose to waive his no-trade clause for the Cleveland Browns, and it would appear there are 230 million reasons he made that decision.
Once the Browns finalize their trade with the Houston Texans, Watson will sign the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history. Cleveland is giving him a fully guaranteed $230 million over five years, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The previous record for the largest fully guaranteed contract was $150 million.
A report on Thursday claimed Watson had informed the Browns they were out of the running for him. He was said to be choosing between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints at one point, so what changed? The money.
Sources told James Palmer of NFL Network that the Falcons were close to acquiring Watson, but Watson asked for more money and more guarantees late in the negotiations.
It sounds like the same thing happened with the Carolina Panthers. Watson reportedly wanted them to fully guarantee the third and fourth years on his previous contract, but they declined.
The Browns probably were not Watson’s first choice, but they stepped up with the big offer. He would have been insane to turn down $230 million guaranteed.
More must-reads: