Everyone dropped their jaws when the Cleveland Browns signed a 5-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract with Deshaun Brown back in 2022. Not only the value but what the Browns gave away to the Texans was also staggering. Here is what they traded:

• 2022 first-round pick (OG Kenyon Green)
• 2022 fourth-round pick (RB Dameon Pierce)
• 2023 first-round pick (DE Will Anderson Jr.)
• 2023 third-round pick (WR Tank Dell)
• 2024 first-round pick (CB Kamari Lassiter and LB Jamal Hill)
• 2024 fourth-round pick (S Calen Bullock)

And guess what, all this was done at a time when he was up to his eyeballs in 27 lawsuits related to behavioral misconduct. Someone in the Browns organization had reportedly said, “I know! Let’s stake our future on a quarterback who has been accused by more than two dozen women of se*ual misconduct and harassment and has missed an entire season of play and still faces another suspension. And while we’re at it, let’s give him the biggest guaranteed contract in league history!” Now come to the outcomes of the mega-deal. Disastrous, to say the least!

Watson has played 19 games with the Browns out of a possible 57 because of injuries and suspension and is 9-10 in those. Worse is, he has completed more lawsuits (27) than touchdown passes (19) with the squad! After the legal problems forced him to miss 11 games in 2022, his 2023 season was cut short by a shoulder injury. 2024 was no exception. After tearing his Achilles tendon in the week 7 game against the Bengals this season, he had surgery on October 25, 2024, and he was undergoing rehab. But earlier this month, he tore it again and underwent a second surgery on January 9. While he is reportedly set to miss a significant part of the 2025 season, it also leaves the franchise with a huge financial burden.

The Browns need to pay him $46 million for each of the remaining 2 years and $72.9 cap hits for 2025 and 2026. But wait. Looks like they have finally found something that might save them from that. The primary question here is whether he re-tore the tendon by doing something that his contract specifically prevents him from doing, under the clauses that guarantee him the $92 million.

Based on his contract, the guarantees void if Watson is injured “as a result of skydiving, hang gliding, rock or mountain climbing, racing of any kind including as a driver or passenger, motorcycling, use of any off-road or all-terrain vehicle, professional wrestling, boxing, use of firearms, scuba diving, jet skiing, surfing, bungee jumping, basketball, diving, and snow or water skiing.”

The team’s announcement of Watson’s re-injury says that he rolled his ankle in Miami. If he rolled his ankle by doing any of the things he is expressly prohibited from doing and the injury happened because of it, the Browns have an avenue for avoiding the amount. Even if the Browns can’t prove it, a TikTok video that went viral 62 days after his first surgery can be the lifeline of the franchise.

In the video was dancing with his girlfriend, Jilly Anais, while on vacation. If you look closely at his feet, you will notice he was not wearing walking boots, but normal sneakers. Re-tear rate is very low for a ruptured Achilles tendon when treated properly in recovery. Patients are typically advised a walking boot for at least three months. It is very hard to roll an ankle or tweak a preexisting injury if it is secured by it. Watson posted the TikTok video without a walking boot just 62 days (December 26), well inside the three-month mark.

If the team and its medical staff required Watson to wear a walking boot during recovery, that could be a reason to void the remaining $92 million on his deal. It would require an investigation and definitive proof, but the Cleveland Browns could be willing to pursue that avenue because of how much money is at stake. If the Browns can prove this and get rid of Deshaun Watson, there will be no salary cap or dead money left, only the amount after prorating his contract in 2023 and 2024. It will be a big win. So what is going on at the Browns’ end?

Browns GM looking over Deshaun Watson

With the latest injury to their key player, the energy has changed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter heard from sources that he might miss the entire off-season even if everything goes according to plan. But one man that really matters has made his view clear. Browns GM Andrew Berry claimed it was time to move on and said, “I think the reality of it is, that room, it will look different next year.”

That’s a strong notice to Deshaun Watson. The team is checking their options and will try their best to get rid of him. And if they really pay close attention to the contracts and restructure them, then they could get money for the 2025 draft as well. After finishing the 2024 season 3-14, they have the 2nd draft pick this year. Depending on Watson is a risk they have taken 3 times in a row. And it hasn’t gone well for them. Signing a rookie or using their salary cap wisely on some FAs might change their fortunes.

The Browns planned for quarterback help even before the latest development. It will only intensify those efforts. According to ESPN, every quarterback with a starter’s ability or potential will be evaluated by the franchise this offseason. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Browns have to spend big. Kevin Stefanski has had success with many quarterbacks over the years, and the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey hits at Stefanski returning to his offensive system and taking back playcalling duties. The team is holding the No. 2 pick, so the expectation is that Cleveland will make a thoughtful move to select a quarterback at that spot.