The Cleveland Browns are preparing to kick off the regular season with Deshaun Watson back under center. But the financial mechanics governing his future remain one of the complex puzzles in the NFL. And salary cap expert Michael Ginnitti has uncovered an intricate financial mechanism tucked in the quarterback’s contract.
“Deshaun Watson’s contract contains a built-in poison pill. If he’s on the roster next March 13th, a $200M salary guarantee kicks in,” the co-founder of Spotrac wrote on X. “This affords Cleveland the opportunity to designate him a Post 6/1 release before 3/13, which splits the remaining dead cap into: 2027: $34.6M. 2028: $51.5M”
Ginnitti also highlighted the financial danger that’ll affect the Browns if they make an immediate move against the quarterback. Releasing Watson ahead of schedule would set the Browns back by $86.2 million in dead cap penalty for 2027. It’d be the largest dead cap hit in league history. For now, that record belongs to Tua Tagovailoa at $55.4 million in 2026.
Right now, Watson is under a five-year, $230 million contract. The Browns restructured his initial contract in 2023. And according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the structured cap credits spanning from 2024 through 2029 total roughly $88.781 million. This sum represents the total insurance relief and cap flexibility that the franchise managed to recoup through Watson’s contract.
During the restructuring process, the Browns converted two dummy void years in 2027 and 2028 into legitimate contract seasons with minimum base salaries. The agreement also had an unguaranteed $200 million base salary for 2029. But that amount will be guaranteed only if Watson remains on the active roster by the third day of the 2027 league year. To avoid that, the front office will have to cut the quarterback before March 13, 2027.
Nevertheless, for the 2026 campaign, Watson will receive a $46 million paycheck. And it’s a guarantee regardless of whether he starts every game or stays on the sidelines. Back in 2021, the Houston Texans had to pay him up despite benching him. But the Browns don’t want that. Sidelining Shedeur Sanders, head coach Todd Monken named Watson as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
“Deshaun is going to start against Jacksonville,” Monken announced. “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. 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.”
If Watson fails to revive Cleveland’s offense this season, the built-in March 2027 deadline will give the organization a clear, structured roadmap to finally turn the page.
