Saturday was roster cutdown day in the NFL, with teams required to trim their squads to 53 players ahead of the start of the 2020 season.

However, instead of being dominated by news of players losing their jobs, it was those who received significant paydays who made the headlines.

Deshaun Watson was the first of three players to receive lucrative extensions, while a high-profile free agent finally found a new home.

Here we recap a free-spending Saturday in the NFL.

Deshaun Watson: No problems for Houston as QB signs massive deal

The Texans star quarterback kicked off a busy day of NFL news when it was revealed he had signed a four-year, $160million extension with Houston.

Watson will have an average annual base salary of $39million over the next four years, the highest in the league in that timeframe.

It is a deal he undoubtedly deserves. Watson has propelled the Texans to the ranks of AFC contenders and had them 24-0 up in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs before Patrick Mahomes propelled his team to the first of three comeback wins in their run to the Super Bowl title.

He is one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL but will have a more difficult task on his hands this year, with head coach and de-facto GM Bill O'Brien having traded away his favourite target, DeAndre Hopkins, for a remarkably scant return this offseason.

For Watson to complete his ascension to the NFL elite with a Lombardi Trophy, the Texans and O'Brien may have to part ways.

KEY STAT: Since entering the league in 2017, Watson ranks fourth among all quarterbacks in yards per attempt. He has averaged 8.07 yards per pass.

Keenan Allen: Chargers reward route-running phenom with extension

Though he does not receive the same attention as the likes of Michael Thomas and Hopkins, Allen has firmly established himself as one of the league's premier wide receivers.

A route-running savant who has fought back from injury derailed seasons in 2015 and 2016, Allen received his just reward for three outstanding seasons since the Los Angeles Chargers left their former home of San Diego.

He agreed to terms on a four-year extension worth over $80m, keeping him with the Chargers through the 2024 season.

The Chargers picked quarterback Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick this year and Allen maintaining his stellar form will be critical to their new franchise passer living up to his draft status.

KEY STAT: Allen has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the past three seasons (2017-19). In that time, he has 3,788 receiving yards. Only Julio Jones, Thomas and Hopkins have more in the same period.

Tre'Davious White: Bills extend All-Pro cornerback at a bargain rate

Arguably the most important player on an excellent Buffalo Bills defense, cornerback White was named a first-team All-Pro in 2019.

He will be paid at a level that reflects his status after agreeing a four-year extension worth $69m with $55m in guarantees. 

Yet, with some anticipating the Bills would have to pay White around $20m a season, Buffalo appears to have got something of a steal.

If he continues to improve and help the Bills dethrone the New England Patriots in the AFC East, general manager Brandon Beane will see it as money well spent.

KEY STAT: White has 43 pass breakups and 12 interceptions since entering the league in 2017. He had a league-leading six interceptions in 2019.

Jadeveon Clowney: Star pass rusher takes his talents to Tennessee

The longest-running free agency saga of the 2020 offseason came to a conclusion as pass rusher Clowney decided to sign for the Tennessee Titans.

Inexplicably not re-signed by the Seattle Seahawks, Clowney was subject to a late push for his services from the New Orleans Saints.

A former team-mate of Watson in Houston, he will reportedly receive a one-year, $12m contract, bolstering a defense already blessed with significant talent on the front and in the secondary.

After coming agonisingly close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, Clowney could be the player that puts the Titans over the top, though among his first tasks will be helping them keep Watson at bay in the AFC South.

KEY STAT: Clowney is fifth in the NFL in stuffs - defensive stops at or before the line of scrimmage - since entering the league in 2014 with 48.