Former Notre Dame star wants to join Deshaun Watson in Cleveland

Will Fuller is intrigued by the idea of reuniting with Deshaun Watson in Cleveland, according to a report from Jordan Schultz. The 27-year-old receiver is coming off a one-year stint with the Miami Dolphins in which he played only three games after suffering a thumb injury early in the season.

The Houston Texans selected Will Fuller 21st overall out of Notre Dame in the 2016 NFL Draft, one year before selected Deshaun Watson 12th overall. The two developed a strong connection over the next four seasons, with Fuller catching 69% of his targets from 2017-20. The receiver had the best season of his career in 2020, posting career highs in receptions (53), receiving yards (879) and receiving touchdowns (8).

That season was also the best of Watson’s career, as the quarterback led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards while also scoring 36 total touchdowns. He appeared primed for yet another stellar season in 2021 before a sexual assault investigation forced him to sit out the entire season.

One big step in Watson’s case happened last week, when a grand jury declined to indict him on criminal charges in several of the cases against him. This opened the door for several teams to reach out to the Texans with trade offers for the three-time Pro Bowler. Although the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints were rumored to be the final two contenders for the quarterback, Cleveland ultimately won out after offering three first round picks and two additional picks.

Watson is set to receive a five-year contract with the Browns worth $230 million as part of the trade. The new contract will be fully guaranteed, shattering the NFL record for most guaranteed money by $80 million. The previous record was set by Aaron Rodgers at $150.6 million, which surpassed Josh Allen’s $150 million.

Watson sat out the entire 2021 season amidst the sexual assault investigation. Although he will not face criminal charges, he is still waiting to hear the outcome of the 22 civil cases against him.

“Now that the criminal investigations have been completed, we are happy to move forward with the civil case depositions,” Watson’s lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said. “We will vigorously defend those cases with every ounce that we have. There were no crimes committed here but it is a plaintiffs’ attorney churning up negative press and churning up his clients hoping for a big pay day. These cases have been the product of a lawyer maximizing his own personal publicity at the expense of others, including his own clients.

“It is time to let Deshaun move on.”