Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered a likely season-ending Achilles injury on Sunday, leaving fans and the team with uncertainty.
Deshaun Watson’s injury today may be the last we see of him this season, as he likely tore his Achilles during the Browns’ 21-14 loss to the Bengals. This injury could sideline Watson for the rest of the year, marking the second consecutive season where he has played in fewer than eight games for Cleveland.
Before today’s injury, Watson was already struggling. He ranked 41st in passer rating with a score of 76.6 and had the lowest ESPN QBR at 22.0. Pro Football Focus graded him at 26th, showing how much he’s been underperforming.
In March 2022, Cleveland signed Watson to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, including a no-trade clause. Even if they decide to release him after this season, they’d still owe him $92 million.
What makes this situation tricky is the insurance covering Watson’s 2024 salary. Reports suggest part of his salary is insured, but the exact coverage remains unclear.
According to CBSSports.com, Watson carries the league’s second-largest 2025 cap hit at $72.935 million. Releasing him would increase the Browns’ cap charges by $99.835 million next year and create $172.77 million in dead money. Even a post-June 1 release in 2025 would still result in $118.935 million in dead money, and his no-trade clause limits their options.
For comparison, the New York Jets missed a key opportunity for cap relief when they didn’t insure Aaron Rodgers’ $37 million salary after his Achilles tear. Had they done so, it could have impacted their 2024 cap.
Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Watson’s Achilles injury today but mentioned that further tests are needed to confirm the extent of the damage.
Watson’s base salaries for 2025 and 2026 are $46 million annually, but due to Cleveland restructuring his contract and adding a void year for cap space, his cap hit is far larger.
If the Browns were to trade or release him in the offseason, the cap charge for 2025 would skyrocket to $172.7 million, making Watson nearly impossible to cut or trade unless another team takes on the $92 million owed in guaranteed salary. In short, the Browns are stuck with Watson’s contract.
During Sunday’s game, when Watson suffered what appeared to be a non-contact Achilles injury, some Browns fans at Huntington Bank Field were heard cheering. This reaction, where Deshaun Watson was booed, sparked outrage from his teammates, who found the fans’ behavior unacceptable.
Watson’s off-field issues, including sexual misconduct allegations, have left his reputation in a divided state. While some expressed joy, others, including Lakers’ star LeBron James, were quick to condemn the reaction.
James took to X, stating, “Cleveland Fans! Y’all know how much we’ve been through… Booing anyone down with an injury, let alone your own player, is LAME AF!!”
Myles Garrett, the team’s defensive superstar, too didn’t hold back. He voiced his frustration with the boos, telling reporters that no player deserves such treatment, especially after witnessing Watson’s efforts to block out the noise and stay focused. Garrett defended Watson, saying, “No one deserves that… He’s been a model citizen through college and most of the pros.”
He also addressed the backlash Watson has faced off the field, adding, “We don’t have any moral high ground to look down on a guy for his mistakes.” For Garrett, seeing a teammate work hard despite outside pressures only fueled his anger toward the boos.
Watson’s availability has been inconsistent since joining the Browns. Last season, he played only six games, and prior to Week 7, he had thrown for 1,020 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. His ongoing struggles, coupled with his legal troubles, have added fuel to the fanbase’s frustration.
Watson’s inconsistent play contributed to Cleveland’s struggles, with the team ranking 30th in scoring offense. His $230 million guaranteed contract gave the coaching staff little choice but to stick with him.
So far, Watson hasn’t performed like the Pro Bowl quarterback he was with the Texans from 2017-2021. Entering Sunday’s game, he had completed 61.3% of his passes for 1,020 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 76.6 passer rating, while taking a league-high 31 sacks. Cleveland failed to score 20 points in any of their first six games.
Thompson-Robinson, who replaced Watson after his injury, went 11-of-24 for 82 yards with two interceptions and rushed for a team-high 44 yards before suffering a finger injury late in the game. Winston later entered and threw a touchdown pass to David Njoku. However, the Browns still lost 21-14, falling to 1-6.
The Browns made major sacrifices to acquire Watson, including trading three first-round draft picks. However, his off-field controversies have overshadowed much of his time in Cleveland.
In his six games this season, Watson has managed just 1,050 passing yards, with five touchdowns and three interceptions, never once surpassing 200 passing yards in a single game. Watson has faced numerous allegations of inappropriate behavior, resulting in several settlements.
The NFL is also investigating a more recent claim, which Watson has since settled privately.
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