The 2022 offseason had big things for the NFL athletes and the fans. As the wide receivers market hit an all-time high, the quarterback’s division set a standard this year. The extensions signed throughout the summer had an enormous value of money on their deals. But the Browns’ deal for Deshaun Watson has altered the contractual landscape forever.s
The trade of Deshaun Watson to the Browns can be the most eventful transaction in NFL history. It established a new standard for young quarterbacks to set their ambitions for large sums of cash. It’s a safe assumption that the Browns pulled out the golden rabbit from the sack. However, it would have a significant impact on the franchises in the future years.
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Did the Deshaun Watson deal begin a new era?
To dive into the contract details, Deshaun Watson has a fully guaranteed contract for $230 million. According to sources, Watson’s contract features the highest guaranteed salary of any deal. Moreover, it surpasses Josh Allen‘s previous high of $150 million by $80 million. Watson will get an average income of $46 million, making him one of the highest-paid stars in the NFL behind Aaron Rodgers.
Deshaun Watson gets a fully guaranteed 5 year $230M contract. That is $80M more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing ($150M). This deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. https://t.co/nQls9WRpD1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2022
With such a humongous contract in place, it increases the demands for the QBs who are next in line for an extension. Athletes like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson now have the advantage to get him a Watson-type deal. But one has to present some justified statistics to back up their case.
Deshaun Watson may not be a game changer. However, he is among the most productive quarterbacks in the NFL. The Browns may perceive it as a revolution and the next-generation QBs will revel it. But many would scrutinize this move for decades to come.
Will Lamar Jackson have the biggest advantage from Watson’s deal?
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Any reader would recall that Ravens’ Lamar Jackson is due for a long-term extension. However, both parties failed to settle into a compromise. The Ravens QB has something every franchise would want. He has fantastic statistics and is a unanimous MVP. In fact, during Jackson’s negotiations with the franchise, he tried to advocate for his contract to be at the Watson level.
Sources: Lamar Jackson rejected a Ravens' 6-yr contract offer with $133 million fully guaranteed at signing, which is more than Russell Wilson ($124 million) and Kyler Murray ($103.3 million) but well short of the $230 million fully guaranteed deal that Deshaun Watson got.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 11, 2022
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However, as per Adam Schefter, the Ravens turned down Lamar Jackson’s request for a fully guaranteed contract. The contract’s fully ensured bonus was higher than Wilson and Murray’s deal. However, it is substantially less than Watson’s $230 million. The refusal led to both parties holding the process until the season concluded. Indeed, Jackson is taking a risk. But f it plays out well, he could set a new benchmark with a new deal. Will he show up and win? It is subject to witness.
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