THE Cleveland Browns have handed Deshaun Watson a massive payday despite barely playing any games.
Watson has one of the biggest contracts in the NFL , crippling the Browns’ ability to manage the offseason.
Watson signed a massive five-year, $230 million contract in 2022.
His contract carries a massive cap hit every year, but the Browns were able to convert it into a signing bonus.
Cleveland converted $44.745 million of Watson’s contract, clearing up $35.79M of cap space.
The team now has $12.8 million in cap space.
Below are Watson’s new cap hits for the remainder of his contract.
2025: $36.9M ($172.3M dead cap)
2026: $81.6M ($135.4M dead cap)
2027: $53.7M (void)
For how much Watson is being paid, he has barely played any football.
In the last three seasons, Watson has only played 19 games for the Browns and has horrendous stats to show for it.
He has passed for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Watson is also expected to miss the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering a setback in his Achilles rehab.
The Browns are in a contract hell for the foreseeable future, and fans have expressed their frustrations about it on social media.
This contract could have ruined half a decade of cap for the Browns, now it will ruin a whole decade with these added proration years,” one fan said.
“Worst contract in sports,” another fan said.
“Has to be the worst contract in sports history,” a third fan said.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
“These dead cap numbers are crazy,” a fourth fan said.
“The franchise needs to be demolished,” a fifth fan said.
The Browns own the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could possibly draft a quarterback at that spot.
Shedeur Sanders from Colorado or Cam Ward from Miami will be available at that position if the Browns want them
