Deshaun Watson’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns has been marred by setbacks, starting with a suspension and now a season-ending shoulder injury. The quarterback, acquired in a high-stakes trade from the Houston Texans, hasn’t lived up to expectations, and the massive contract he secured has raised eyebrows across the league.
The Browns invested heavily in Watson, trading away six draft picks, including three first-rounders, and restructuring his contract to a whopping $230 million over five years, fully guaranteed. Critics, including rival team owner Steve Bisciotti, expressed doubts about the wisdom of this deal, especially considering the historic figures involved.
Despite the significant financial commitment, the returns on the field have been underwhelming. Watson’s impact on the team’s performance doesn’t align with the immense cost. The Browns are 8-4 in games he started over the past two seasons, but a 5-9 record in his absence raises questions about the value he brings. His on-field statistics, including a last-place off-target percentage and mediocre rankings in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and Total QBR, contribute to the overall disappointment.
Adding to the concerns is Watson’s shoulder injury, cutting short his second season with the Browns. The team, with the second-highest salary cap space currently, has struggled to make the Watson investment pay off. The restructuring of his deal in the offseason helped create cap space, but projections for future seasons show the Browns facing financial challenges.
The inability to escape Watson’s contract compounds the Browns’ woes. The restructure increased his cap numbers for the upcoming seasons, making it financially unfeasible to release or trade him without substantial dead money consequences. The Browns find themselves trapped with Watson through at least 2024, with limited options for relief.
Looking ahead, the implications for the Browns are significant. Watson’s contract restricts their financial flexibility, impacting their ability to sign impact players and retain key talent. Drafting effectively becomes crucial for maintaining a competitive roster around Watson. The team’s success in the coming years hinges on his performance as an elite quarterback who elevates the team, especially considering the Browns may not always have a dominant defense.
In the broader context of the NFL, Watson’s fully guaranteed deal doesn’t appear to have set a trend. Other quarterbacks negotiating extensions, including Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert, haven’t sought fully guaranteed contracts. Watson’s disappointing tenure may serve as a cautionary tale against such contracts, emphasizing the risks and lack of flexibility they entail.
Ultimately, unless Watson leads the Browns to a Super Bowl victory in the remaining years of his deal, the trade and contract could be remembered as one of the worst in NFL history. The challenges ahead for the Browns involve navigating Watson’s contract, making tough decisions on other player contracts, and hoping for improved on-field performance from their highly paid quarterback.