How Much Guaranteed Money Will Deshaun Watson Make If Cleveland Browns Release the Injured QB Now?

Deshaun Watson swooped into the Dawg Pound like a gridiron rockstar, ready to make the Cleveland Browns‘ dreams come true. The cash cannons were firing, and Cleveland was buzzing with excitement. Fast forward to 2023, and it’s been more sideline selfies than touchdowns for Watson. Breaking hearts faster than a linebacker blitz, the Browns dropped the bomb that Watson’s season was a wrap due to a shoulder surgery session with Dr. Neal Attrache. Now, the only thing higher than Watson’s profile was the Browns’ investment in his arm–a fortune spent to bring QB magic to the shores of Lake Erie.

But the plot twist? Watson won’t be donning the orange and brown armor anytime soon. Nope, he’s on a football hiatus, leaving the Dawg Pound hanging like a Hail Mary pass in the wind. So, while Watson’s jersey stays neatly folded in the locker, the Browns’ pockets are still feeling the financial burn–a reminder that even on the sidelines, he’s racking up points in the paycheck game. Tough break, Dawg Pound.

The Deshaun Watson wager leaves Browns in a dead money dance

Deshaun Watson inked a deal so lucrative, it made Scrooge McDuck’s money bin look like pocket change. A whopping five-year, $230 million contract–a gridiron jackpot that included a pretty hefty signing bonus. The man was swimming in guaranteed cash, making NFL history with a guaranteed money mountain that even a money-savvy dragon would envy.

Fast forward to this week, Watson’s not leading the charge for the Browns this season. So, what’s the damage to the Browns’ wallet? Buckle up, because Watson’s contract is the anchor pulling on the team’s purse strings. Sure, the Browns had cap space to spare, practically swimming in it like dolphins in a salary-cap ocean. But they juggled Watson’s deal in the offseason, and now cutting ties looks like disarming a salary cap bomb.

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Even if they considered him in the post-June 1 cut, they’re looking at a dead money hit of about $156 million in 2024 and another $110 million in 2025. Now, the big question echoes–to trade or not to trade, that is the gridiron conundrum.

Financial fireworks: How Watson’s deal became cap conundrum

Deshaun Watson’s original cap number was playing in the minor leagues at $55 million, but now it’s flexing at a whopping $64 million for the next few seasons. And it’s not over, there’s an encore–an extra $8.984 million cherry on top in 2027. NFL contracts are usually lucrative because they allow teams to play with cap rules. Watson’s contract is not such a deal. The offseason restructure was supposed to be the playbook, but instead of a sweet deal, it turned into a salary cap Rubik’s Cube. They sliced his 2023 cap number from $55 million to a more digestible $19 million.

Thinking of waving goodbye to Watson next offseason? Not that easy. The Browns would need to cough up $138 million in cold, hard cash, and carry the weight of a jaw-dropping $201 million dead money tattoo on their 2024 cap. It’s a financial hit that hits harder than a blindside blitz. And if they decide to trade Watson? Well, first, they’d need to convince another team to take on three years and $138 million. Even if they pull off the impossible, they’re still left with a dead-money hit of roughly $63 million in 2024. It’s a gridiron soap opera.

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