The Cleveland Browns went all out in order to acquire former Pro Bowl quarterback and current suspect of sexual misconduct Deshaun Watson. As part of their efforts to acquire him via trade, they signed him to a new contract, a five-year deal worth $230 million, which is fully guaranteed and includes language that prevents a suspension from voiding said guaranteed status. His year-one base salary was also minimized to reduce financial harm from a possible (extremely likely) suspension.
It’s also extremely likely that teams around the league are pissed at them, primarily for that fully-guaranteed contract. Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti remarked on the Browns’ decision to sign him to such a deal yesterday, and his comments certainly gave that impression, while acknowledging the inevitable that that is the direction contracts are heading anyway.