Stunner: Deshaun Watson Chooses Cleveland Browns, Trade With Texans Expected Soon
BOSTON (CBS) -- On Thursday, the Cleveland Browns were told that they were out of the running for Deshaun Watson. A day later, they landed the QB.
The news was broken by ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero on Friday afternoon, with Watson making his choice to agree to a trade to the Browns.
Watson later confirmed the news with a post on Instagram, while Rapoport reported the details of the contract.
Watson -- who didn't play at all last season amid 22 accusations of sexual assault -- was in control of his destination, as he has a no-trade clause in his contract. He set up meetings with the Browns, Panthers, Saints and Falcons, with Atlanta emerging as one of the favorites throughout the week.
Yet something changed between Thursday and Friday that convinced Watson to go with Cleveland.
Also this week, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield made a social media post dedicated to Browns fans, indicating he had given his all to the organization. He later requested a trade, which the Browns denied. Now with Watson coming on board, a Mayfield trade will be the next domino to fall in the offseason. The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported that Mayfield would prefer to go to the Colts, who currently don't have a starting quarterback after trading away Carson Wentz earlier this offseason.
With Watson staying in the AFC, the conference only becomes more competitive. The AFC West has added Russell Wilson to the Broncos and Davante Adams to the Raiders to compete with the Chargers (who signed J.C. Jackson and kept Mike Williams) and the Chiefs, who are perennial Super Bowl contenders. Watson now joins a division that includes a former MVP in Lamar Jackson in Baltimore and reigning AFC champion Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are also knocking at the doorstep of an AFC title.
The Browns went 8-9 last season, ranking fifth in defense but 18th in offense. With Watson -- who led the NFL in passing yards in 2020 while throwing 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 444 yards and three touchdowns -- taking over the offense, the Browns' chances of contending in the AFC figure to jump rather significantly.
