Sports run on passion, and the Cleveland Browns are a prime example. They traded first-round picks for 2022, 2023, and 2024 to bring in Deshaun Watson. Everyone dropped their jaws when they signed a 5-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract. While doing all of this, they forgot a time-tested advice. Never put all your eggs in one basket! Abuse allegations forced him to miss 11 games in 2022 followed by injuries in 2023 and 2024 that cut his season short. The franchise suffocated and wanted a way out. Looks like they finally have one.
After tearing his Achilles tendon in the week 7 game against Bengals in the 2024 season, he was undergoing rehab. However, a TikTok video went viral after 62 days of his surgery on October 25. It showed him dancing with his girlfriend. And it looked like Deshaun Watson wasn’t wearing any walking boots or protective gear. That’s a massive $92 million lifeline for the Browns.
According to Pro Football Talk, his contract could get void immediately if the injury protocols in his contract require him to wear walking boots. They can also cut short his deal if his team-specified rehab protocols mentioned the ‘walking boot.’ And they are accessing plenty of photos available on social media that show him walking without a boot. That video might also play a huge role.
If the Browns are able to prove this and get rid of Deshaun Watson, they will not need to pay him $46 million for each of the remaining 2 years and $72.9 cap hits for 2025 and 2026. 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. But why did all of this suddenly come into play?
Everything changed this new year when the QB announced he tore his Achilles again. It happened after he rolled up his ankle in Miami. He underwent surgery on the 9th of January, delaying his comeback by 7 months and putting his 2025 season in jeopardy. That was a shock!
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.
