Anyone laughing at Deshaun Watson contract should look at what Kyler Murray received

The Cleveland Browns took a lot of heat for the contract they gave Deshaun Watson but seeing what Kyler Murray landed should silence the critics

NFL contracts are funny. When the Cleveland Browns gave Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million deal over five years, there was no shortage of critics coming out.

The Browns were openly mocked for the contract but as is always — not often, but always — the case, the deals that will follow will make this look like a steal.

This was the case when Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr each got around $25 million per season. By the end of their deals, the average was up to $40 million for a starting quarterback. Anyone who follows sports should know this is how it goes, and the contract Kyler Murray just received shows nothing has changed.

Murray, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2019, just agreed to a five-year, $230 million deal with $160 million guaranteed. He might not have gotten the full guarantee Watson did, but he will earn roughly $500,000 more over the life of his deal. And the fact that Arizona will pay Murray more than Watson is really the comical part of any contract.

Say what you will about the off-field aspect, but this discussion is purely based on the play on the field. In that aspect, these two aren’t even on the same planet. Watson led the NFL with 4,823 yards passing in 2020 and completed 70.2 percent of his passes. He accomplished this after losing DeAndre Hopkins, who ironically joined the Cardinals where Murray was entering his second season as a pro.

Murray improved with Hopkins but still has never thrown for more than 3,971 yards in a season. He does threaten with his legs (as does Watson), but NFL quarterbacks have to win with their arm and the difference between what Watson offers in terms of arm talent compared to Murray is vast.

Throw in what Murray’s deal will do in contract negotiations for players such as Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson who are far more accomplished than the Cards’ signal-caller, and the Browns will be the ones laughing last. But that’s how it always happens when a team resets the market, even if we want to act like it doesn’t.