The Houston Texans made a splash on roster cutdown day, but it didn’t come in the form of a cut or trade.
Houston and franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension worth up to $177.54 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal, which includes $111 million guaranteed, kicks in in 2022 after Watson’s five-year rookie deal expires.
Deshaun Watson’s contract is worth a total of $177.54 million with nearly $111M in guarantees. Other than Patrick Mahomes 12-year deal, this is the largest total contract, as well as guarantee in NFL@history.
Asked about the deal, agent @DavidMulugheta confirmed it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2020
Watson, drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, has already appeared in two Pro Bowls over three seasons. In 38 games (37 starts), he has a 24-13 record. He’s completed more than two-thirds of his passes (804-for-1,204) while accumulating 9,716 passing yards and 71 touchdowns through the air. Watson also has value on the ground, where his quick and fluid legs have picked up 1,233 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Clemson product has continued to play at an elite level despite doing his work behind a struggling offensive line. However, the play in the trenches improved in 2019 after a 2018 in which Watson was sacked 62 times for 384 yards, both league-worsts.
Last season, Watson appeared in 15 games, going 10-5 and completing 333 passes for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Texans won their division and advanced to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Watson is 1-2 in the playoffs with 80 completions for 870 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick.
It’s worth noting that this contract is for four years with an AAV of $40 million. The length (and total money, of course) vary drastically from Patrick Mahomes‘s recent mega-deal. This allows Watson to keep performing in Houston for another four years before he is subject to yet another big payday, which would also give him the chance to seek a different team if he desired.
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