All the best way again in 2022, the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns accomplished a blockbuster commerce for star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson had proven flashes of brilliance with Houston however he discovered himself in main bother off the sector. The Texans determined it was time to half methods and Cleveland grew to become a suitor for his providers.
Regardless of all the off-the-field authorized points that Watson had been coping with, the Browns felt snug buying him. Nonetheless, they did not cease there and shortly signed him to an unprecedented totally assured five-year, $230 million contract. The Browns believed that after so lengthy, that they had lastly discovered their quarterback of the longer term.
However quick ahead just some years and the Watson commerce appears like one of many worst in sports activities historical past. And with the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft, the commerce is now formally closed within the file books.
Photograph by Scott Taetsch/Getty Photos
Within the deal, the Browns traded a 2022 first-round decide, a 2022 fourth-round decide, a 2023 first-round decide, a 2023 third-round decide, a 2024 first-round decide, a 2024 fourth-round decide and a 2024 sixth-round decide. Houston traded Watson and a 2024 sixth-round choice.
The picks that the Texans obtained are all now performed and the outcomes could not be completely different. Houston drafted offensive guard Kenyon Inexperienced, working again Dameon Pierce, star defensive finish Will Anderson Jr, vast receiver Tank Dell, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Jamal Hill and security Calen Bullock. Additionally they did a pick-swap take care of the Minnesota Vikings for the 2024 first-rounder that they obtained.
The Browns nonetheless have Watson however traded away the 2024 sixth-round decide to land vast receiver Jerry Jeudy. On the floor, the Browns obtained their quarterback regardless of all of his points. However Watson has seemed like a shell of himself since returning to the soccer area. He has performed in 12 whole video games by means of two years with the Browns, throwing for two,207 yards, 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
His decision-making on the sector hasn’t been nice and the Browns have performed significantly better with him not taking part in. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco took Cleveland to the postseason this 12 months, giving the offense some life when Watson went down with an damage.
So, by means of two years, the Browns appear like they have been utterly fleeced on this deal. His explosiveness is not there any longer and plainly all his issues off the sector could have performed a job in how he performs on it. This is not what Cleveland signed up for once they traded for him however Watson grew to become virtually a villain across the league.
Whereas Watson and the Browns have struggled, Houston is now thriving. They made the postseason final 12 months, defeating the Browns within the Wild Card spherical. Houston has the look of a significant up-and-coming crew, boosted by all of the draft picks within the Watson commerce. One lookback on this deal and it is clear to see that the Texans simply have been the winners in the long run.
Unusual Data
Newsweek is dedicated to difficult typical knowledge and discovering connections within the seek for frequent floor.
Newsweek is dedicated to difficult typical knowledge and discovering connections within the seek for frequent floor.
