$230M QB Deshaun Watson's 2025 salary not to play for Browns is still insanely high
Posted September 10, 2025
In the NFL, contracts are often the center of attention, but Deshaun Watson's fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Cleveland Browns has sparked fierce debate. As the 2025 season approaches, Watson’s situation is creating ripples not only in Cleveland but throughout the league. The question on everyone’s mind: is this hefty contract a blessing or a burden for the Browns?
The Money Is in His Pocket, Whether He Plays or Not
Deshaun Watson’s contract was hailed as groundbreaking when he signed it in 2022. However, as Watson recovers from his injuries and faces serious questions about his return to form, the question of whether he’s still worth such a massive sum lingers. Critics argue that, despite his talent, Watson's absence on the field—due to his injuries and off-field controversies—means the Browns are paying him a fortune without getting the expected return.
Watson’s latest statement only adds fuel to the fire: "They may not need me on the field, but the money still goes into my pocket. The whole world knows I deserve this contract. Even if I’m not playing, I’ll keep working hard and prove that I’m the number one QB." While some see this as confidence, others see arrogance—especially when considering the fact that his contract is tied to his performance on the field.
What Does This Mean for the Browns?
The Browns are now faced with the decision of whether to keep Watson as the centerpiece of their offense or move forward without him. The $230 million contract is fully guaranteed, which means Watson will still get paid regardless of whether he plays or not. For the Browns, this poses a dilemma. On one hand, they need a quarterback who can lead them to success, but on the other, Watson’s inability to perform at the expected level could make his contract a financial burden.
A Divisive Decision
While Watson has shown glimpses of his potential, his time with the Browns has been marred by inconsistency and controversy. The debate is polarizing: Should the Browns continue to invest in Watson, hoping that he will eventually return to his old form? Or should they explore other options, cutting their losses and moving forward without him?
As Watson's future with the Browns hangs in the balance, one thing is certain—the $230 million contract is one of the most divisive deals in NFL history, and its impact will be felt for years to come. Fans, analysts, and even Watson’s teammates are waiting to see whether he can live up to the immense expectations—or if this deal will go down as one of the league’s most costly mistakes.
Peyton Manning jokes about being Bears’ ‘analytics guy’ after Ben Johnson error
The Chicago Bears are once again at the center of attention as Ben Johnson’s late-game decision in the matchup against the Vikings backfired. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning used his ManningCast platform to break down the controversial call. As a result, his sharp analysis immediately put the Bears-Ben Johnson partnership under the spotlight. Overall, the Vikings-Bears clash was intense, but Chicago’s failure to manage the final two minutes turned into the biggest storyline.
During the broadcast, Manning joked about stepping in to help. “I just don’t know if I have time to be the Bears’ analytics guy and do this show,” he said. The remark summed up the frustration of Chicago fans who saw a winnable game slip away. The defense forced a three-and-out. Even so, the Bears’ mismanagement of the clock left them with little chance to mount a comeback.
Manning also explained exactly what the Bears should have done after cutting the deficit to 27-24 with just over two minutes left. Specifically, he emphasized that Chicago needed to protect the two-minute warning at all costs. In his view, kicking the ball out of bounds would have been smarter than risking a returnable kickoff.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the field position difference would have been minimal compared to the value of preserving clock stoppages. However, Johnson’s decision gave the Vikings a chance to burn the two-minute warning and drain valuable time.
On top of that, Manning predicted what would happen the moment the Bears lined up for the kickoff. He revealed that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell had already prepared his team for these late-game situations. As expected, Minnesota returned the kick, burning crucial seconds and putting Johnson’s strategy under fire. Notably, Manning didn’t hold back, repeatedly saying the Bears should have kicked the ball out of bounds.
In the end, this loss raises serious questions about Johnson’s in-game decision-making. Moving forward, if he wants to restore faith in the Bears’ direction, learning from Peyton Manning’s situational awareness might be the first step.
