NFL

Deshaun Watson is far from an elite quarterback at this point in his career. That hasn’t stopped him from being paid like one.

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Cleveland’s newly minted opening-day starter has looked anything like a starting-caliber quarterback since joining the Browns in 2022. In fact, Watson’s 80.7 passer rating during his Cleveland tenure is the sixth-worst mark in the league among quarterbacks who have started at least 17 games since 2022.

Watson’s middling numbers don’t match his glittering contract figures. With that, The Sporting News takes a look at the discrepancy between the gaudy contract the disgraced gunslinger and his franchise agreed to and his performance.

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Deshaun Watson contract details

• Years: Five
• Contract value: $230 million

Watson landed a mammoth five-year deal with Cleveland upon his arrival via sign-and-trade in 2022. The entirety of Watson’s $230 million deal was guaranteed, more than $80 million more than the previous record for guaranteed money at signing.

Four years on, Watson is eclipsed only by Bills QB Josh Allen in terms of total guaranteed money. His pact with the Browns was heavily backloaded, with Watson receiving just $1 million in base salary during the 2022 season. Sensing a lengthy suspension was on the horizon for Watson, who faced more than 20 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct at the time of his signing, Cleveland’s front office worked with the quarterback’s representatives to limit the financial penalty Watson would incur. Watson was banned for the first 11 games of the 2022 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

In March, Watson and the Browns agreed to restructure the terms of the contract, freeing up $36 million in cap space and making Cleveland cap compliant for the 2026 season. He was initially slated to carry an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest mark in the NFL. Spotrac reports that Watson’s actual cap hit figure sits at a little over $40 million this season. His contract will expire at the end of the season. However, Watson’s deal will count against Cleveland’s salary until 2031.

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When can Browns part ways with Deshaun Watson

Watson’s contract expires at the end of the 2026 season. The Browns will be on the hook for around $85 million over the coming four years after restructuring Watson’s contract twice.

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Cleveland’s front office likely views Watson, statistically one of the worst quarterbacks in the league since arriving at Huntington Bank Field, as a sunk cost. The soon-to-be 31-year-old ranked 32nd among qualified quarterbacks in passer rating prior to tearing his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season. He is reviled by a large portion of the Browns’ fanbase. Some cheered when he was cut down by the injury in 2024, while more hounded him with jeers when he appeared in Cleveland’s preseason game against the Bills on Saturday.

The Browns open the regular season with a pair of away matchups against playoff-caliber sides in the Jaguars and Buccaneers. NFL insider Ari Meirov reported that Watson’s relationship with Cleveland’s fans could have factored into the Browns’ decision to name him their opening-day starter.

Part of the thought process behind naming Deshaun Watson the #Browns’ starter is that they open the season with two road games (at JAX, at TB) before returning home in Week 3.

That would give Watson two games to prove himself away from the fanbase. If he struggles, Shedeur… https://t.co/2Pw3v6FJsU pic.twitter.com/18pvk1Yjqn

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2026

Regardless, the end appears nigh for Watson. Cleveland will be relinquished of its responsibility to house the quarterback on its roster come the end of the 2026 season. His legacy on the team — and its salary cap spreadsheet — will linger for some time afterwards, though.

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Deshaun Watson career stats

Widely considered one of the worst signings in NFL history, Watson has looked nothing like the hurler he showed himself to be during his time with the Texans. The numbers back that up:

Deshaun Watson age

Watson will turn 31 on September 14. He should be in the prime of his career based on his age curve — Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have continued to impress at similar age profiles. Instead, Watson’s toils suggest he doesn’t have much longer in the league, barring something unforeseen.

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