Football’s a game of hard numbers, not “ifs” or “maybes,” and Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract is proof of that. The Browns went all-in on Watson, banking on his peak form to carry them to glory. Back then, he was dialed in, lighting up the field. But fast forward to now. He’s on the sidelines with a ruptured Achilles, and that investment’s looking a little different now.

And that’s when Browns GM Andrew Berry isn’t pulling any punches. Per Mary Kay Cabot, Berry said it’s “always possible” Watson could play again for Cleveland. Right now, it’s all about the comeback. Watson, himself says the focus is squarely on healing up post-surgery, and he’s got a rough timeline that could see him back by training camp if he recovers like Falcons QB Kirk Cousins did from a similar injury. But recovery’s no guarantee, and the Browns are in wait-and-see mode.

Further, Berry also emphasized that everyone “was on board” with the trade from the start amidst the Dawg Pound’s cries of wanting him out. Guess that’s not happening now. Sure, the GM could like the player the team shelled out big money for, but there’s a rather deep reason for it as well. If the Browns were to release Watson after 2024, they’d be staring down a nearly $100 million loss. That’s like throwing away a third of the 2025 salary cap in one swoop—definitely not happening.

And even a post-June 1 cut would still leave Cleveland in the red by $46 million. With Watson’s fully guaranteed deal, a restructure seems unlikely unless he volunteers it, and that’s not why his team fought for all that guaranteed money. Realistically, the Browns would need to hold on until at least 2026 to avoid a financial disaster. So, like it or not, Watson’s sticking around for a while.

Can Deshaun Watson sneak back as the QB1?

Alright, Browns fans, let’s talk QB drama. Just one year after an 11-6 record and a playoff berth, the Browns are sitting on a rough 2-7 start, deep in the “trouble territory” zone. How are we feeling, Dawg Pound? Deshaun Watson was supposed to be Cleveland’s big-ticket QB1, but after a brutal Achilles injury in week 7, the Browns made what might just be their smartest call of the season: they handed the reins to 10-year vet Jameis Winston.

And, let’s be honest, Winston took that chance and ran with it (not literally—rushing yards weren’t exactly his highlight, but still). In his first full start, he pulled off a wild 29-24 upset over the Ravens, proving he’s got the firepower to hang with the AFC’s elite. Winston’s numbers in that game? Chef’s kiss. He became the first Browns QB to hit over 300 passing yards in a game this season and led the team to a season-high in points, breaking their streak of games stuck under 17 points. Let’s run it down: 334 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Read that again!

Now, let’s get to the elephant in the room: how does Winston stack up against Watson? While Watson was the chosen starter, his numbers haven’t exactly inspired confidence. In seven games, he’s thrown for just over 1,100 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Compare that to Winston, who, even with limited playtime, is already closing the gap on Watson’s 2024 stats. And here’s the kicker: Watson’s QBR ranks him 32nd out of 33 qualifying passers, barely edging out Carolina’s rookie QB Bryce Young. Not exactly the QB1 performance Cleveland was banking on.

So, can Watson sneak back into that top spot once he’s healed? That’s a million-dollar question. Or, to be precise, a $230 million-dollar dilemma. For now, though, it’s Winston’s show—and Cleveland might just be okay with that.