FILE – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) leaves the field at the end of the first half against the Chicago Bears in an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. Suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s status has not been affected by a new civil lawsuit filed against him by another woman claiming sexual misconduct two years ago, the NFL said. Watson is serving an 11-game suspension for alleged sexual misconduct while he played for the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN believes there’s a chance Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has played his last down in the NFL.
The Cleveland Browns admitted it was a huge mistake to trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson at the NFL’s annual meetings last week, but the bad news doesn’t stop there for the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC North rival.
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According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, several people around the league think there’s a chance Watson has played his last down in the NFL.
“Executives and agents around the league expressed doubt to ESPN that the former Pro Bowl quarterback will get another opportunity in the NFL, even if healthy,” Oyefusi writes.
The first thing Watson must do to get another opportunity is get healthy. He re-ruptured his Achilles last season, which will significantly impact his rehab.
“I would say there’s … a likelihood that he doesn’t play [in 2025] than he does from a medical standpoint,” a foot and ankle specialist who has worked with NFL teams told ESPN.
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However, even if Watson were to get healthy, the Browns are tied to him for the time being after giving him an NFL-record five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract when they traded three first-round picks to acquire him from the Houston Texans in 2022.
Texans at Redskins 11/18/18
Cleveland owes Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons and has already restructured his contract multiple times.
There are also $173 million in cap hits remaining on Watson’s contract, which would turn into dead money if the team were to part ways with him this offseason. That would be more than double the current NFL record of $85 million that the Denver Broncos took for releasing quarterback Russell Wilson in 2024.
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As a result, it’s difficult to imagine the Browns even considering cutting Watson until next offseason. But by then, the 30-year-old’s market may be completely dried up, according to one league executive.
“If released, I don’t see anyone picking him up,” an NFC executive told ESPN. “And then, down the road, the question will be, will he take low-QB money? Would he even be motivated to play at that point?”
Cleveland could also attempt to trade Watson, but it’s very unlikely another team would be willing to take on his remaining salary given his on-field struggles and injury history.
Watson has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL since joining the Browns, completing 341 of 557 passes (61.2%) for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 9-10 record.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, right, and Damontae Kazee, left, during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
That has left Cleveland in a very difficult spot as its search for its next franchise quarterback will continue.
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