And just like that, the Cleveland Browns are now Super Bowl contenders at odds of just +1700 after that blockbusting trade for Deshaun Watson.
The Browns agreed the stunning move Friday, which will bring Watson to Ohio from the Houston Texans in return for the following compensation:
- 3 first-round draft picks
- 1 third-round pick in 2023
- 1 fourth-round pick in 2024
- A swap of fifth-rounders
It’s a huge deal, one of the biggest trades in NFL history, and Watson will do nicely out of it too – with a fully-guaranteed five-year contract worth $230million.
It does also of course elevate an already-stacked roster to that of a bona fide contender now there is a true franchise QB in the building. Sorry, Baker Mayfield.
Browns Super Bowl Odds
Online bookmakers had Cleveland trading around +4000 (bet $100 to win $4000) to win Super Bowl LVII next February, until Friday’s news broke. By the end of the day the Browns were as low as +1400 and biggest at +1700 with FOX Bet.
The change in odds is no surprise – the upgrade of Watson over Mayfield (based on Baker’s 2021 play) is seismic and should really elevate the Browns offense.
Now of course Cleveland will likely trade after burning all of its bridges with the former number 1 overall pick this week. Mayfield actually requested a Thursday, but the Browns said ‘no’ as at that stage it appeared out of the race to get Deshaun.
Baker Mayfield Trade
Twenty-hours later the Watson deal was back on, and now Mayfield is likely to get his wish. One thing he won’t get though is to choose his landing spot. While Mayfield would love to be an Indianapolis Colt, he does not have a no-trade clause in his contract of course so the Browns will likely take whoever makes the best offer.
Other teams who could be potential suitors for Mayfield include the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers – both of whom were in the race to trade for Watson. Atlanta meanwhile is an interesting case – like Cleveland it created some awkwardness with its current starter Matt Ryan when it moved for Watson.