For years, Deshaun Watson's $230 million deal was mocked as the Browns' biggest blunder. Now, that very contract is set to return nearly $88 million in salary cap credits, leaving fans in complete disbelief.

Back in 2022, the Browns handed Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. However, to protect themselves, they later added a layer of financial protection by purchasing an insurance addendum during the 2023 contract restructure. That decision has proved highly beneficial for the Browns.

“Let's do some simple math. The Browns received $88M in salary cap credits for Watson's injuries. If the Browns cut Watson, they eat $127M in dead cap. $127 - $88 = $39," said sports commentator Roberto Shenanigans, through his X handle. "So the Browns can cut Deshaun by incurring a net dead cap hit of just $39 million.”

According to NFLPA records reviewed by Pro Football Network's Mike Florio, the Browns are set to receive approximately $88 million in total salary-cap credits tied to Watson's contract between 2024 and 2029.

Monday afternoon brought a fresh twist, with Over the Cap's Analyst Troy Chapman reporting something entirely different.

“The amounts listed below are the revised prorated bonus amounts, AFTER the credit was applied,” Chapman wrote on his X account, which included a screenshot. “There are other savings from base salary amounts as well, on top of the $9.8m”

Chapman argued that, to determine the Browns' actual cap-credit savings, those numbers must be deducted from the original bonus amount. When they are deducted, the figure comes to roughly $9.8 million.

That said, fans have formed their own opinions about the insurance claim situation.

Fan reactions split on whether the Browns should cut or keep Watson

The insurance situation has only added another layer to the Deshaun Watson debate, with fans arguing in the same post that the Browns should cut ties with him if they have enough room to absorb the dead cap.

“Good find. Jimmy isn’t coming clean with the fans. Nobody has wanted Watson on the roster for 3 years. He had an out, and didn’t take it. Dome is part of a shadow mission,” one fan added.

However, one fan believes that the Browns should keep Watson as a backup for Shedeur Sanders.

“Why cut him at this point. Keep him as the backup for Shedeur this year and eat zero dollars in dead cap.”

One of the fans believes that, despite the injury issues that kept him sidelined for most of 2024 and 2025, the front office would still keep him.

“Cut him? The FO still loves him and will probably extend him,” a fan opined.

Another fan came in support of Watson, saying the Browns have no replacement for him.

“Why would you cut the best QB on the roster? Just to save money? Just because Browns fans don't like him? Who gives a f***k if Browns fans like him or not?” wrote a fan.

Lastly, one fan believes that the team should give him a chance before deciding his future.

“Or, if they start him and he looks halfway decent, they can trade him at the deadline and eat the cap.”

That said, what are your thoughts about Deshaun Watson?

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi