Browns roster hampered by Watson contract
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A contractual nightmare. Photo: Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The Browns began the season with a promising lineup of offensive and defensive players, but both sides have since taken major hits.
Why it matters: Cleveland's struggles have put the team in rebuilding mode, with uncertainty at key positions and salary cap issues that may be impossible to overcome.
State of play: While settling into last place in the AFC North, Cleveland traded two of its best players.
- The team shipped wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and defensive end Za'Darius Smith to the Detroit Lions — each for multiple late-round draft picks.
The intrigue: Cleveland will likely have a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, one of the few ways the team can add talent despite its financial hurdles.
- The Browns are limited in how much they can spend on players due to the $92 million remaining on much-maligned quarterback Deshaun Watson's guaranteed contract.
Between the lines: Cutting Watson before his contract expires in 2026 would still cost the Browns tens of millions of dollars, while his high salary makes a trade highly unlikely.
Yes, but: The Browns still have great players, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and running back Nick Chubb, who are both just 28 years old.
What they're saying: "I am so worried that Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett are going to leave us because of the quarterback situation," Browns fan and Geauga County native Jennifer Fuhr tells us.
- "I think [coach] Kevin Stefanski is super smart but how can he do his job without a capable QB?"
The bottom line: Whether or not Watson is the Browns' starting quarterback next season, the team will have to work around his contract to field a competitive roster.