In a recent tweet, former NFL executive Andrew Brandt has some choice words for Deshaun Watson‘s contract with the Cleveland Browns. The post has brought the attention of enthusiastic fans to the same question: What does it mean for Watson’s future?

Taking to X, the ex-NFL executive declared, “Deshaun Watson has the most uncuttable and untradable contract the NFL has ever seen.“ This unprecedented deal, signed back in 2022, had set a new precedent in contract negotiations for QBs. It features $230 million of guaranteed money, the highest amount ever granted to a player in the NFL.

The Browns traded significant draft assets to acquire Watson, all while he was embroiled in ongoing legal challenges. Amid this, things appear to have become worse for the Browns after the shocking 33-17 Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Watson’s contribution there?

He went just 24-of-45 for 169 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, averaging just 3.8 yards per attempt while taking six sacks. Meanwhile, after a restructure last month, the deal that comes with a no-trade clause, runs through 2026 and the cap hit is $72.9 million in both 2025 and 2026. Taking all these together, it raises concerns about the long-term implications of the contract on the team’s future negotiations within the league. And Andrew Brandt is not the only one to call that out.

Looking at Watson’s season debut, ESPN’s Paul Hembekides wrote, “it is “the worst contract ever.”” In a sport where injuries can tarnish a player’s value overnight, guaranteeing such a massive sum increases the team’s financial risks. Now, with established contracts such as this one, we’re likely to see franchises reconsider their approach to extending similar offers, particularly to players with off-field controversy or injury histories. Will teams take that risk, or will they opt for more traditional structures with less guaranteed money?

As the Browns navigate the challenges due to Watson’s injuries, his contract implications become more pronounced. Deshaun Watson has played in six games in his first two seasons with the Browns due to suspensions and injuries. Despite an 8-4 record, the financial burden of his contract stands at approximately $91 million for those 12 games. That equates to around $7.5 million for each win. That’s a disheartening figure when considering the overall investment made by the team to secure their QB. As the organization weighs its future strategy, the consequences of this contract loom large over its plans.

What does the Watson contract mean for the Browns?

It looks like, Browns is pushing a potential problem to make it even worse. Watson has not worked well for the Browns. Starting 12 games over two seasons, he has completed 60% of his passes and thrown 14 touchdowns to nine interceptions. If he plays poorly this season and Cleveland decides to get rid of him after 2024, the Browns, apart from owing him another $92 million in guaranteed cash, would also incur a dead-money cap charge of $172.77 million.

For context, that’s higher than the per-team NFL salary cap was as recently as 2017. Even if the Browns designated him a post-June 1 cut and split it over two seasons, it would cause them a dead-money hit of $86.385 million in each. That surpasses the most dead money any team has ever taken by cutting a player. The current high is the $85 million in cap space for the Denver Broncos to release Russell Wilson this past offseason.

Watson’s contract is a pivotal moment in NFL history, impacting the QB’s future and the franchise’s approach to risky investments. As football evolves, the implications of guaranteed contracts will continue to influence negotiations, team dynamics, and public perception. The Browns find themselves at a crossroads; binding themselves to a player facing scrutiny might impact their long-term goals.

How they manage this challenging contract could spell success or further frustration in their quest for a winning season. With the right approach, they may turn this dilemma into a defining moment for their franchise. But for now, nothing in set in stone, and the contract situation is embroiled in questions!