Cleveland Browns Odds After Deshaun Watson Trade

Cleveland Lands Watson, Browns' Super Bowl Odds More Than Halved After Trade

The NFL continues to steal all the headlines this week. Tom Brady announced that he was returning to Tampa Bay on Monday, and the Davante Adams trade overshadowed the first day of March Madness. Now, one of the biggest remaining questions has been answered after Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns on Friday afternoon.

The Browns Finally Land A Franchise Quarterback

Deshaun Watson didn’t see the field last year due to legal issues, but a grand jury decided not to indict him on multiple sexual assault allegations last Friday. That opened the door for Watson to finally leave Houston, and the Texans wasted no time looking to trade the most talented quarterback in team history. Atlanta, New Orleans, and Carolina were all interested in acquiring Watson, but Cleveland proved to be the highest bidder.

The Browns are reportedly trading their next three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in order to bring Watson to Cleveland. It’s a steep price to pay for any player, but the Browns pushed all their chips in the middle of the table by signing Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract that’s fully guaranteed. That’s more guaranteed money than any other player has received in the NFL.

Cleveland was 35-1 to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings earlier this week. The Watson trade immediately vaulted the Browns into the realm of contenders, and they are tied with Denver as the third-favorite to win the Super Bowl out of the AFC with 14-1 odds. They have surpassed Baltimore and Cincinnati as the favorites in the AFC North too.

Houston Pushes the Reset Button

It’s been a rough couple seasons for the Texans. Bill O’Brien made some baffling moves after being promoted to general manager, putting Houston in a hole that it has been digging itself out of since he was fired.

Both Houston and Watson needed to move on, so this is a welcome trade for both parties. The Texans are receiving the haul of draft picks they were expecting for the star quarterback, and they can finally start to rebuild in earnest after consecutive four-win seasons.

The Texans are at least two years away from competing once again, and they have the highest Super Bowl odds on the board at 200-1 alongside the New York Jets.