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Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp.
Deshaun Watson has been grinding through rehab for over one full calendar year in hopes of returning to the gridiron, but the former Houston Texans star has also encountered roadblocks along the way. Some of them are still playing out in real-time.
That is the case regarding a strong take from a former sports agent.
Watson, coming off his fourth season with the Cleveland Browns, is in a state of limbo. His status could belie his outlook.
Deshaun Watson Faces Cold Truth
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Watson has not been healthy during his Browns tenure, and he has looked like a shell of the QB that was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Texans when on the field.
And yet, that is not the greatest unfortunate reality Watson faces. Instead, it remains his exorbitant contract. The deal could impact his opportunities in 2026. That is despite some encouraging feedback from new head coach Todd Monken.
Former sports agent Joel Corry believes the Browns are “stuck” with Watson, a damning framing.
Corry believes the Browns will release Watson. But that will be in 2027, not 2026. All of their plans are “etched in stone” thanks to a pair of decisions from 2024.
“Two contract years in 2029 and 2030 voiding on the first day of the 2029 waiver period … were added while existing dummy/voiding 2027 and 2028 contract years were turned into real contract years with minimum salaries,” Corry wrote on February 13. “Watson’s base salary in the voiding 2029 contract year is an unsecured $200 million that becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2027 league year.”
Corry expects the Browns will release Watson in March 2027, with a post-June 1 designation, before his guaranteed salary in 2029 vests. However, the Browns will not be clear from the fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract they gave Watson after his trade from the Texans.
Browns ‘Will Pay Dearly’ Over Deshaun Watson
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns works out during mandatory minicamp.
Corry noted the Browns “will pay dearly” when they do finally part ways with Watson, facing a historic dead cap hit over the ex-Texans star.
“Another contract restructure like in the previous three years will be necessary before the 2026 league year starts on March 11 because Cleveland has a tight salary cap situation,” Corry wrote. “By taking this approach, the Browns will have dead money, a salary cap charge for a player no longer on a team’s roster, totaling $86,206,864 when Watson is released in 2027.”
The Denver Broncos hold the current record, incurring an $85 million hit for cutting Russell Wilson in Year 1 of a five-year, $245 million contract. However, there are no more viable options for Cleveland.
Cutting Watson after June 1 without a restructure would result in an $80-plus-million dead cap hit, Corry noted.
A conventional release would mean $131.1 million in dead money in 2026.
Watson holds a no-trade clause. His play could make it difficult to find a trade partner, leaving the Browns holding the bag for the former Texans’ first-round pick. That seems likely, no matter how they try to navigate the situation.
Playing him risks further locking themselves into a dire situation. It would also provide an opportunity for him to rebuild his trade value.
Despite being free of Watson, the Texans are not immune to a similar situation.
Deshaun Watson’s Situation Informative for Texans
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns on the sideline during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Texans moved on from Watson amid myriad off-field issues. There was also a growing fracture between the then-franchise QB and the front office.
The Texans are not facing those kinds of issues with current QB1 C.J. Stroud.
There is another dilemma that could lead them down a similar path, though. Stroud is extension-eligible this offseason. What once seemed like a lock to happen has come into question following a, by his own admission, sub-par postseason.
The Texans also face cap questions this offseason. They do not have to commit big money to Stroud like Watson’s situation called for. That time will come, though.
They must be sure he is the player he showed during his award-winning rookie season.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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