Deshaun Watson’s 2025 season is more uncertain than ever, with salary cap relief and roster releases possible in 2026. (Related press)
Editor’s note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Deshaun Watson’s second surgery on his torn right Achilles tendon is certainly a setback for him.
But it’s not necessarily for the Browns.
The club confirmed that Watson underwent a second surgery on Thursday to repair another tear in his Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon was originally repaired on October 25th. Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, North Carolina, performed both surgeries.
Watson has now suffered two different shoulder injuries in the past two years, one requiring combined surgery and two rupturing his Achilles tendon and requiring surgery.
How did the recent setback come about?
“Earlier this week, Watson complained of discomfort after twisting his ankle in Miami as he reported to the Cross Country Mortgage Campus for an exit medical as part of the Browns’ end-of-season procedures,” the Browns said in a statement. Ta.
It’s unclear whether Watson rolled his ankle during rehabilitation under medical supervision or whether it was unrelated to his rehabilitation. The statement did not clarify the circumstances. GM Andrew Berry didn’t either when he first broke the news of the setback on Monday.
In any case, the statement concluded, “Watson’s recovery time and return to play status are uncertain, and he is expected to miss significant amounts of time during the 2025 season.”
All of this happened after the Browns, coincidentally or not, recently added another “dummy year” to the back of Watson’s contract. The move was ostensibly to reduce Watson’s dead salary cap charges after his contract expires.
Spotrac founder and managing director Mike Ginnitti proposed a path for the Browns to rescue the albatross that has become Watson. Ginnitti speculated that the Browns could convert Watson’s salary into a bonus this year, reducing his $72.9 million cap number to $37 million. Watson could then be designated for release after June 1 in March 2026, which would incur salary cap charges of $46 million in 2026 and $89.5 million in 2027. It will be.
Under this scenario, Watson would be removed from the roster in 2026 and removed from salary cap rolls starting in 2027.
Additionally, the Browns reportedly took out insurance to cover approximately $44 million of Watson’s scheduled $46 million base salary in 2025. If he doesn’t play in 2025, his salary cap will be waived for the insurance amount in 2026.
All of this would make it more clear that the Browns will rebuild their quarterback room and move on from Watson after the 2025 season.
“There’s no such thing as a risk-free trade,” Berry said Monday, reflecting on Watson’s big deal in 2022. .
“And we look at it from a cap standpoint and – I hate how we got here – whether it’s picking players or using it to maximize it in other ways. He’ll be in a position to move forward both from the standpoint of having the No. 2 pick in the draft and having the No. 2 pick in the draft.” It gives him the opportunity to really pivot if he needs to. ”
In other words, the finish line is in sight.
