During the offseason, the Browns have four quarterbacks showing up for the job. One of them has only played 19 games for the Browns and, ironically, is the highest-paid quarterback of them all. 

The Cleveland Browns had traded three first-round picks to acquire Deshaun Watson in 2022. They handed him the most expensive guaranteed contract made in NFL history, i.e., $230 million for a period of five years. 

The Browns had big hopes for the quarterback, but because of his injuries and off-the-field issues, Watson could only play six games in 2022, six games in 2023, and seven games in 2024.

An Achilles rupture then kept him away, leaving a big question mark on his future with the Browns and in the NFL. 

Per Spotrac, Watson’s five-year and $230 million contract also had a signing bonus of nearly $45 million. His average annual salary rounds up to $46 million.

In March, the contract was restructured to give him the $44.745 million of his $46 million annual salary as a restructuring bonus. This move freed up $36 million in cap space for the Browns.

The franchise’s owner, Jimmy Haslam, had called this deal a big “swing or miss” for someone who was once considered an elite quarterback. Now that the Browns are in their final contract year with Watson, their salary cap nightmare appears to have an end soon. 

Watson returned to the Browns camp for the 2026 season after being away for nearly one and a half years. He pleasantly surprised the Browns with his athleticism and determination to win, and change the narratives surrounding him. 

Considering the fact that Watson is currently the most experienced QB and is performing well during the minicamps and the OTAs, the Browns are giving him a fresh start to prove his worth. If he performs well and stays healthy, the Browns could look to restructure again or even consider a short extension. If he struggles, the team could cut him after 2026, though the dead cap hit would still be significant.

Watson Getting a Second Chance With the Browns

Reportedly, Deshaun Watson appears to be on the verge of a comeback as the Browns are considering making him their starting quarterback in 2026. 

“With Watson healthy and entering the final year of this fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the veteran is getting what amounts to a clean slate on the field with new head coach Todd Monken,” per Daniel Oyefusi and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “Both sides are open-minded about what the future holds for what has been a disappointing four-year run with Watson in Cleveland.”

Even Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam, had a completely different take on Watson now after calling his deal a big swing and miss. 

“Deshaun has a great chance, a fresh start, an offensive-minded coach who has, in his past, been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” said Haslam. “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now.”

With NFL circles speculating Watson to be the Browns’ QB1, Monken has yet to confirm who it is between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

However, the 30-year-old now has that last chance of being an NFL-level quarterback. His performance on the field for the 2026 season will eventually define the rest of his career in the league.

What are your thoughts on Watson’s contract?

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi