The Cleveland Browns have never had a realistic route to moving on from Deshaun Watson before the final season of his fully guaranteed contract.
If the decision to start Watson goes south, the Browns’ most practical option would be to bench Watson and continue paying him rather than release or trade him.
Cleveland restructured Watson’s contract for a fourth consecutive year this offseason, converting most of his $46 million salary into a bonus. That lowered his cap charge to approximately $41 million but pushed more money into future years.
The latest wrinkle is a contractual “poison pill” highlighted by Spotrac. If Watson remains on Cleveland’s roster on March 13, a $200 million salary becomes fully guaranteed.
That does not mean Watson is currently owed an additional $200 million on top of his five-year, $230 million deal. It serves as a contractual tripwire designed to force the Browns to release him before the guarantee takes effect.
Cleveland must terminate Watson’s contract by the due date to avoid the trigger and designate him as a post-June 1 release. That would allow the Browns to divide approximately $86.2 million in remaining dead money between projected charges of $34.7 million in 2027 and $51.5 million in 2028.
Watson is also entitled to his $46 million this season, regardless of whether he starts, serves as the backup or is inactive. If his relationship with the organization deteriorates, the Browns could follow the path the Houston Texans took in 2021, when Watson remained on the roster and collected his salary without playing.
Browns Name Deshaun Watson Week 1 Starter
GettyShedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns are not preparing to bury Watson yet. Head coach Todd Monken named Watson the starter over Shedeur Sanders on Monday following a competition that stretched through the offseason, training camp and Cleveland’s first two preseason games.
“Deshaun is going to start against Jacksonville. Took in the full body of work over the course of offseason, to training camp, to the games, the joint practice, and ultimately felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points,” Monken said. “I mean, that’s really what it’s about. And felt that way going into the last game but wasn’t sure. And after we talked as a staff and after we relooked at everything, we’re going to go in that direction.”
Watson struggled in Cleveland’s 31-7 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, completing 5 of 12 passes for 36 yards with an interception. He was also loudly booed throughout his first home appearance since 2024. Watson called the hostile reception “personal” and “disrespectful.” Monken said those comments had no influence on his quarterback decision.
“Absolutely not. Zero. There was nothing to do with that,” Monken said. “Ultimately, the fans want us to win. Ultimately, to put a good product on the field. That’s really what they want. And that’s our job as coaches, why we’re hired — to try to put the best product on the field. And when we don’t, then I understand their frustration. But ultimately, they don’t decide who plays. I mean, who would I be if I let someone outside of the building decide who plays?”
Deshaun Watson Apologizes to Browns Fans
Watson took responsibility for his emotional comments after being named the starter. He opened his Monday press conference with an apology, acknowledging that injuries and poor play have prevented the Browns from receiving a return on their historic investment.
“I thought I was going to get a little different response. But I think my emotions got the best of me, and my comments weren’t intended to go at any of the fans around the city, because there’s been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me,” Watson said. “And I know the frustration this organization has put a lot of investment into getting me back in 2022, and things haven’t been going the right direction that we thought it would.”
Watson said he understood the frustration and needed to earn back the respect of the fan base by producing on the field.
“That’s what I’ve got to do, because it was a big investment, and we haven’t gotten the product out of that investment so far,” Watson said. “I have another shot, I have another chance, so I want to make sure I take full responsibility of this opportunity.”
It amounts to Watson’s last realistic chance in Cleveland and potentially the NFL. He has played only 19 regular-season games since the Browns acquired him in 2022, posting a 9-10 record with 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
Browns Face $200 Million Deshaun Watson ‘Poison Pill’ After QB1 Call