Watson's $230 Million Deal Cripples Browns' Cap as $86.2 Million Hit Looms in 2027
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 5
Watson's $230 Million Deal Cripples Browns' Cap as $86.2 Million Hit Looms in 2027
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 5
Summary
$230 million in fully guaranteed money has left Cleveland with little salary-cap flexibility, agent Leigh Steinberg said, arguing the Browns cannot use standard restructures to soften Deshaun Watson's burden.
An $86.2 million cap charge is scheduled for 2027 even after Watson's contract expires, because Cleveland used void years and earlier restructures to push money into the future while trying to build around him.
Watson's cap hits climbed from $9.4 million in 2022 to $40.2 million this season, with another $25.7 million, nearly $17 million and $8.9 million still due from 2028 through 2030.
Only 19 games over four seasons have compounded the problem: Watson is 9-10 as Browns starter, has not played since tearing his Achilles in October 2024 and re-tearing it during rehab in January 2025.
Cleveland still named the 30-year-old its Week 1 starter under new coach Todd Monken, though Steinberg said his hold on the job could depend on whether he can fend off backup Shedeur Sanders.