BREAKING: DESHAUN WATSON’S RECOVERY PUTS BROWNS IN A $230 MILLION NIGHTMARE
The Cleveland Browns can’t seem to shake the ongoing conundrum that is quarterback Deshaun Watson and the hold his health and contract have over the team’s present and future.
Watson is in the fourth year of his $230 million deal, which runs through 2026 and is fully guaranteed. The team has restructured the contract multiple times, which has pushed payments off into the future and means that Cleveland will take substantial financial hits involving Watson through 2029 — potentially three years after he’s off the team.
Watson is currently rehabilitating from a twice-torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in October of last year, an injury ESPN insider Adam Schefter updated via a report on the Monday edition of “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“He’s a good month away from being cleared for any football activity,” Schefter said, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.
Deshaun Watson’s Return May Cause Browns Real Financial Problems
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The troubling portion of that update from the Browns‘ perspective isn’t that Watson is a full month away from getting back on the field, it’s that he’s only a month away from potentially returning to healthy status and throwing a huge wrench into the team’s finances yet again.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk laid out the situation on August 6.
If [Watson] can play, the Browns will have to move him to the 53-man roster or release him. That could prompt the Browns to disagree with Watson, even if it sets the stage for a formal grievance — with Watson saying he’s healthy enough to play and the Browns saying he’s not.
The stakes are high for the Browns. If they opt not to put him on the roster with their existing clusterfudge of quarterbacks, releasing him would set the stage for a devastating 2026 cap charge of $131.161 million. The best outcome for the Browns is to get Watson to want to spend the season on the PUP list.
If Watson remains on the PUP list for the entirety of the campaign, the league will afford the Browns significant salary cap relief. The organization will also be able to collect on the health insurance policy it took out on Watson, which will put actual money back into the franchise’s proverbial pocket.
Browns Set at QB With Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Bailey Zappe
Cleveland doesn’t need Watson to play in 2025, even after trading Kenny Pickett before the regular season and Joe Flacco last week.
The Browns have promoted rookie Dillon Gabriel, who is 0-2 and will make the third start of his NFL career against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, October 19.
Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders is now QB2, while fourth-year veteran Bailey Zappe is the third-string signal-caller/emergency quarterback on Sundays.
Cleveland may add a fourth QB to the practice squad after trying out Austin Reed, formerly of the Chicago Bears, late last week. But in any case, the Browns don’t need Watson.
As such, Watson getting healthy and pushing to rejoin the active roster is the last thing Cleveland wants.
It took one preseason game for Eagles to solidify Lane Johnson's replacement
The Philadelphia Eagles entered the preseason with a pressing question: who would step up to fill the massive shoes left by veteran right tackle Lane Johnson? After just one preseason game, it appears the answer has become clear, and rookie Cameron Williams has caught the attention of coaches, teammates, and fans alike.
Williams, drafted in the later rounds, was not initially expected to play a starring role this early in his career. However, circumstances forced the Eagles to test their depth, giving Williams a chance to showcase his skills on the field. In a game that could have been a high-pressure trial, the young lineman thrived, displaying poise, technique, and a surprising level of confidence for a first-year player.
“Filling in for Lane Johnson? No pressure… just kidding! I’m excited to get out there and have some fun with it,” Williams said with a grin after the game. His lighthearted approach, combined with a serious commitment to executing his assignments, helped calm any concerns about whether the Eagles could maintain their offensive line’s dominance.
Coaches were quick to praise his performance. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland commented, “Cameron showed us that he belongs out there. Lane leaves big shoes, but Cameron has the potential to carry the torch and protect our quarterback effectively.” His teammates echoed that sentiment, noting that Williams’ energy and work ethic were infectious, lifting the entire line’s morale.
Analysts have pointed out that while preseason games don’t always translate perfectly to the regular season, the performance was significant. Facing defensive ends who will eventually be starters on other NFL teams, Williams handled his matchups with skill and composure. The confidence he displayed suggests he’s ready to assume a major role, at least while Johnson recovers from his offseason or any potential injury management plan.
For the Eagles, this clarity at right tackle brings a measure of relief. The team now has a defined plan, allowing coaches to focus on other roster questions without worrying about who will anchor the right side of the line. With a promising young player stepping up, the offensive line looks stronger than many anticipated heading into the regular season.
As for Williams, the rookie is taking it all in stride. His enthusiasm, talent, and composure hint at a bright future in Philadelphia. If he continues to perform at this level, Eagles fans may find themselves celebrating the emergence of a new star, all thanks to one preseason game that made a lasting impression.
