Category: Finance | Title: Are the Browns Still Paying Deshaun Watson | Tag: NFL Contracts | Meta Description: Latest details on Deshaun Watson contract, guaranteed money, salary cap impact, and whether the Browns are still paying him through 2026...
Current Contract Status and Guaranteed Money
The Cleveland Browns remain contractually obligated to Deshaun Watson under a fully guaranteed deal restructured after his 2022 suspension. The agreement includes significant dead money charges if the team releases or trades him, which affects the salary cap in future seasons. Watson is scheduled to earn a base salary that rises through 2026, with large guaranteed bonuses due annually as tracked by OvertheCap.
The contract was restructured to move money into guaranteed categories, reducing the immediate cap hit while protecting Watson's earnings. The Browns absorbed a portion of his salary in 2024 to create cap flexibility, but Watson's total guaranteed compensation remains substantial. Any roster move involving Watson would trigger additional dead money and require careful cap planning.
Salary Cap Impact and Dead Money
Deshaun Watson's cap number for the Browns includes base salary, roster bonuses, and guarantees that count against the cap whether he is on the field or not. If the team were to release him today, the dead money charge would be a multiple of his remaining guaranteed base salary, creating a large one-time cap penalty. The dead money figure is determined by the difference between the guaranteed money remaining and the salary cap savings from his removal.
The Browns' front office has used creative restructuring to manage Watson's cap impact while keeping him under contract. Cap analysts note that the dead money scenario makes a near-term exit expensive relative to the cap space gained. The team continues to evaluate options while balancing the financial consequences of a potential trade or release with tools from Spotrac.
Future Outlook and Trade Possibilities
As of the latest available information, the Browns have not traded Deshaun Watson, and his contract remains in effect with the team. Watson's future with the Browns depends on on-field performance, coaching decisions, and the financial terms any trade partner would accept. The team has explored trade scenarios but has not reached a deal that aligns with its cap and roster strategy.
Trade discussions involving Watson require the receiving team to absorb a portion of his guaranteed money and the dead money charge the Browns would incur. The Browns would likely seek draft compensation or a younger quarterback in exchange for taking on part of his contract. The situation remains fluid, with the Browns continuing to manage the cap implications while Watson remains under contract per NFL contract data.