The Cleveland Browns are not completely out of the disastrous Deshaun Watson contract just yet, but they may be getting some relief soon in the form of an insurance payout. Details have emerged that the Browns can reclaim nearly $60 million from an insurance addendum added to Watson’s deal.
How the Browns Can Reclaim Nearly $60 Million From Deshaun Watson’s Contract
The Browns gave Watson a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract when they traded for him in 2022, but he hasn’t lived up to the expectations. Watson has played poorly and missed significant time in 2022 and 2023, but things got worse in 2024.
The Watson experiment came to an abrupt end in Week 7 last season when he tore his Achilles. Prior to the injury, he had a 23.4 QBR. The timeline was extended after he tore his Achilles again during recovery, requiring another surgery and putting his 2025 season in jeopardy.
There’s a silver lining for Cleveland. They’re expected to recoup some of the money due to the injury. An investigation by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed that the Browns added an insurance policy “in the event player is unable to perform the services required by his NFL Player Contract due to an NFL football-related or non-football related injury or death resulting therefrom.”
Since the injury occurred during the 2024 season, the Browns would be entitled to $58.176 million to be recovered based on the following formula: $12.7 million from the 2024 signing bonus, $1.2 million from the 2024 base salary, and $44.274 million of Watson’s $46 million 2025 base salary.
The cost recovery could help ease the financial burden of Watson’s contract. However, Florio added that the insurance company’s lawyers may still challenge or deny the payout depending on the contract’s legal exclusions.
The Browns’ Quarterback Room Moves On With Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett
The Browns have rebuilt their quarterback room in Watson’s absence. They traded last year’s backup, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kenny Pickett.
They also brought back 40-year-old Joe Flacco on a one-year, $4 million deal. Flacco won the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year with Cleveland after Watson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury, but the team initially chose not to re-sign him after the award.
Now, the Browns enter the 2025 NFL Draft with 10 picks, including the No. 2 overall selection. While they’re not projected to take a quarterback at No. 2, PFSN’s Jacob Infante has the Browns selecting Jalen Milroe with the 67th pick. Milroe isn’t a sure thing by any means, but his high upside could be exactly what Cleveland needs as they enter yet another quarterback era.
