The Cleveland Browns have officially named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, a decision that has left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward choice, but dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover a complex web of contract details that make it almost certain Watson will be released after the 2026 season.

The $200 Million Reason Why Deshaun Watson Will Be Gone

When the Browns traded for Watson in 2022, they signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract that was fully guaranteed. However, in a move that has been widely criticized, the team restructured Watson’s contract multiple times over the past four years, mainly to kick the can down the road on his salary cap hits. But in a twist, the Browns included a poison pill clause when they restructured his contract in December 2024, which essentially guarantees they will cut Watson by March 13, 2027.

Here’s how the clause works, according to former NFL agent Joel Corry, who broke down the details in February:

• During the restructure, Watson had two dummy/voiding years in 2027 and 2028 that were turned into real contract years with minimum salaries.
• Watson also has a base salary of $200 million in 2029 that’s NOT guaranteed, but it becomes FULLY guaranteed if he’s still on the roster by the third day of the league year in 2027.
• If the Browns don’t want to pay the $200 million, they have to cut Watson before March 13, 2027.

By the time next March rolls around, the Browns will have paid Watson $230 million, and it’s almost certain they’ll make sure they don’t have to pay him another dollar. If Watson were to somehow lead the Browns to the Super Bowl this year, the team would still be forced to cut him because there’s no way they’d be able to afford to keep him with the $200 million salary becoming guaranteed in 2029.

So, why did the Browns give Watson the starting QB job if they’re just going to cut him anyway? The answer lies in the team’s decision to restructure Watson’s contract multiple times, which has essentially created a situation where they’re trapped. If Watson plays well, he has no future with the team. If he doesn’t play well, he has no future with the team. Starting Shedeur Sanders would have made more sense.

The Cost of Cutting Deshaun Watson

When the Browns release Watson, they’ll have to take a massive $86.2 million dead cap hit, which will go down as the second-largest in NFL history. The NFL record for the largest dead cap hit was set just a few months ago when the Miami Dolphins took on a $99.2 million hit when they released Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins are taking on that dead cap hit over two seasons, and it’s almost certain the Browns will do the same.

The Browns will be able to designate Watson as a post-June 1 release, allowing them to divide the cap hit over 2027 and 2028:

• 2027: $34.7 million in dead cap
• 2028: $51.5 million in dead cap

The Browns’ decision to acquire Watson has been a nightmare since the day it happened, but by 2028, they’ll finally be able to put the entire ordeal behind them. Through four seasons, Watson has made $184 million for 19 starts, and he’s gone 9-10 in those starts. Yes, that means the Browns have paid him $20.4 million per win. That’s good work if you can get it.

The Browns will pay Watson $46 million more in 2026, and that will likely be the last time they give him a single penny.