Update 03/26/2022 3:17pm:

The Cleveland Browns recently had an introductory press conference for Deshaun Watson, who the team signed despite a lot of controversy surrounding the player. Watson is currently facing 22 civil lawsuits against him due to multiple allegations of sexual assault encounters stemming from massage therapists. During his press conference, Watson was asked by a reporter as to why he needed to go to 40 different massage therapists. 

Watson was reportedly uncomfortable when asked the question but answered. “Well, I never - as far as the team, and when I say team, I'm not saying the Cleveland Browns, but my agency and things like that,” said Watson. The jumbled answer led him to say, “Forty is just over time. It's not in one period of time. I've been in Houston for five years, so you to different people and that's just how - like I said before, I can't go into the details, but as businesses work and you move and meet different people and people have different schedules and block, you kind of meet people over time.” Take a look at his full statement above.  

Original 03/20/2022 2:45pm:

After much speculation as to the status of Deshaun Watson’s future in the NFL, the quarterback ended up being acquired by the Cleveland Browns. It was noted the deal was worth $230 million over the course of five years. The contract is fully guaranteed. The Browns have been silent since the trade went down but now have come out with a lengthy statement addressing Watson joining their team and his legal troubles. 

“We spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson. We are acutely aware and empathetic to the highly personal sentiments expressed about this decision,” said the team. The Browns addressed Watson’s legal issues, saying, “We also understand there are still some legal proceedings that are ongoing and we will respect due process. It was pivotal that we, along with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, meet with Deshaun to have a straightforward dialogue, discuss our priorities, and hear directly from him on how he wants to approach his career on and off the field.”   

As of now, Deshaun Watson still has 22 sexual assault lawsuits against him. Despite the lawsuits, Watson will not be facing any criminal charges. Stay tuned for more updates. 

Original 03/18/2022 5:50pm:

In one of the most shocking transactions of the NFL offseason so far, the Cleveland Browns have acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans less than 24 hours after being informed by the quarterback that they were out of the running for his services.

Although the deal is still being finalized, it is being reported that the lucrative contract will be worth $230 million, fully guaranteed, over the course of five years. The 26-year-old quarterback waived his no-trade clause in order for an agreement to be reached with his former team, who will receive three first-round draft picks, a third-round pick, and a fourth-round pick. In addition to Watson, the Texans will send a fifth-round pick to the Browns.

Deshaun Watson has been seeking a new team ever since his highly publicized fallout with the Houston Texans' front office over his lack of involvement in personnel decisions. Many sports commentators predicted that Watson would choose the Atlanta Falcons as his destination, given the fact that he is was born in the state of Georgia. Nevertheless, the controversial quarterback is very pleased with his new team, as he took to Instagram to post a message to the legion of Browns fans commonly known throughout the sports world as the 'Dawg Pound.'

"Cleveland, LETSSSS GOOOO!! #DawgPound Ready to work!" Watson wrote. 

When Watson takes the field for the Cleveland Brown this upcoming season, it will mark the first time that the franchise has fielded a signal-caller with at least two Pro Bowl selections since Otto Graham played his last game in 1955. 

Now that Browns have added Deshaun Watson to their roster, their odds of winning the Super Bowl in 2023 have gone from +4000 all the way to +1700, according to FOX Bet, giving them the ninth-best odds to capture their first-ever championship since the merger.

Source: NFL