time of the trade, Watson faced 22 active civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. Watson had sat out the entire 2021 season while criminal and civil litigation proceeded and the NFL conducted its own investigation. The Browns executed the trade days after a grand jury declined to press any criminal charges against Watson. As part of the trade, the Browns gave Watson a fully guaranteed 5-year, $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money given to a player in NFL history. Watson eventually reached a settlement with the NFL, agreeing to an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine. Ironically, the Cleveland Browns began the 2022 season against the Carolina Panthers and their former quarterback Baker Mayfield. With Watson serving his 11-game suspension, journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett started for the Browns. The Browns won 26–24 thanks to a game-winning 58-yard field goal by rookie kicker Cade York in his professional debut. The Browns, who finished the 2021 NFL season with the lowest field goal percentage of any team in the NFL, drafted York in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. It was the highest any kicker had been drafted since 2016. The win was the Browns' first in a season opener since 2004, and their first victory in a road season opener since 1994. See also History of Cleveland List of Cleveland Browns seasons References Bibliography External links Cleveland Browns official web site Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns Browns