Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns, Quarterback

Age: 30y-5m-23d (Sep 14, 1995)

Exp: 9 Years

Country: US

College: Clemson

Drafted: Round 1 (#12 overall), 2017

Agent(s): David Mulugheta (Athletes First)

2026 Cap Hit

$44,956,514

2026 Cash

$46,000,000

Career Earnings

$234,808,041

2022-2026 Extension (CURRENT)

Deshaun Watson signed a 5 year, $230,000,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including $44,965,000 signing bonus, $230,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $46,000,000. In 2026, Watson will earn a base salary of $1,300,000 and a restructure bonus of $44,700,000, while carrying a cap hit of $44,956,514 and a dead cap value of $131,163,378.

Contract Terms:

5 yr(s) / $230,000,000

Average Salary:

$46,000,000

Signing Bonus:

$44,965,000

GTD at Sign:

$230,000,000

Total GTD:

$230,000,000

Free Agent:

2027 / UFA

MANAGE CONTRACT

Year	Age	Status	Cap HitAnnual	Cap % League Cap	Cash Annual	Cash Cumulative	Dead Cap Annual
2022	27		$9,402,285	4.52%	$45,374,285	$45,374,285	$229,367,500
2023	28		$19,064,080	8.48%	$46,007,080	$91,381,365	$220,057,000
2024	29		$27,950,868	10.94%	$46,023,953	$137,405,318	$200,712,678
2025	30		$35,978,759	12.89%	$46,007,245	$183,412,563	$167,142,137
2026	31	Estimate	$44,956,514	14.93%	$46,000,000	$229,412,563	$131,163,378
2027	32	Void UFA	$34,663,514	10.73%	-	$229,412,563	$86,206,864
2028		Void	$51,543,350	14.52%	-	$229,412,563	$51,543,350
2029		Void	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-
2030		Void	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Restructure Proration	Workout Bonus	Cap Hit	Cap % League	Dead Cap
2022	27		$402,500	$8,993,000	-	$6,785	$9,402,285	4.52%	$229,367,500
2023	28		$1,080,000	$8,993,000	$8,984,000	$7,080	$19,064,080	8.48%	$220,057,000
2024	29		$1,210,000	$8,790,678	$17,942,000	$8,190	$27,950,868	10.94%	$200,712,678
2025	30		$1,255,000	$8,790,678	$25,925,836	$7,245	$35,978,759	12.89%	$167,142,137
2026	31	Estimate	$1,300,000	$8,790,678	$34,865,836	-	$44,956,514	14.93%	$131,163,378	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $131,163,378 2026 Savings: $-86,206,864 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $129,863,378 2026 Savings: $-84,906,864 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2026 Dead Cap: $44,956,514 2027 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2026 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $44,956,514 2027 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2026 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $43,656,514 2027 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2026 Savings: $1,300,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2027	32	Void UFA	-	-	$34,663,514	-	$34,663,514	10.73%	$86,206,864	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2027 Savings: $-51,543,350 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2027 Savings: $-51,543,350 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2027 Savings: $34,663,514 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2027 Savings: $34,663,514 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $86,206,864 2027 Savings: $34,663,514 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2028		Void	-	-	$25,679,514	-	$51,543,350	14.52%	$51,543,350	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $51,543,350 2028 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $51,543,350 2028 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $51,543,350 2028 Savings: $51,543,350 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $51,543,350 2028 Savings: $51,543,350 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $51,543,350 2028 Savings: $51,543,350 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2029		Void	-	-	$16,923,836	-	-	-	-	2029 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2030		Void	-	-	$8,940,000	-	-	-	-	2030 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $0 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Bonus	Restructure Bonus	Workout Bonus	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2022	27		$402,500	$44,965,000	-	$6,785	$45,374,285	$45,374,285	$229,412,563
2023	28		$1,080,000	-	$44,920,000	$7,080	$46,007,080	$91,381,365	$184,038,278
2024	29		$1,210,000	-	$44,790,000	$8,190	$46,023,953	$137,405,318	$138,031,198
2025	30		$1,255,000	-	$44,745,000	$7,245	$46,007,245	$183,412,563	$92,007,245
2026	31	Estimate	$1,300,000	-	$44,700,000	-	$46,000,000	$229,412,563	$46,000,000
2027	32	Void	-	-	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-
2028	33	Void	-	-	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-
2029	34	Void	-	-	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-
2030	35	Void	-	-	-	-	-	$229,412,563	-

Contract Notes

$230M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2022 salary + 2023 salary + 2024 salary + 2025 salary + 2026 salary)
$44.965M Signing Bonus
Language exists that will not forfeit signing bonus or void future guarantees upon suspension
2022 salary reduced from $1.035M per the 6-game suspension
$58.1M of 2024/2025 compensation is insured
Full No Trade Clause 2024-2026

Source: PFT

2020-2025 Rookie Extension

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $156,000,000

Average Salary:

$39,000,000

Signing Bonus:

$27,000,000

GTD at Sign:

$73,717,123

Total GTD:

$110,717,123

Free Agent:

2026 / UFA

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2017-2021 Rookie

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $13,854,281

Average Salary:

$3,463,570

Signing Bonus:

$8,215,841

GTD at Sign:

$13,854,281

Total GTD:

$13,854,281

Free Agent:

2022 / UFA

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Seasons

9 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$234,808,041

Earnings w/ Different Teams

2 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year	Age	Status	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2017	22	Injured	$8,618,895	$8,618,895
2018	23	Active	$1,094,740	$9,713,635
2019	24	Active	$1,724,480	$11,438,115
2020	25	Active	$29,417,363	$40,855,478
2021	26	Active	$10,540,000	$51,395,478
2022	27	Active	$45,374,285	$96,769,763
2023	28	Injured	$46,007,080	$142,776,843
2024	29	Injured	$46,023,953	$188,800,796
2025	30	Reserve	$46,007,245	$234,808,041
Total			$234,808,041	$234,808,041
2026	31	Active / estimate	$46,000,000
Total			$280,808,041

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
5		$14,077,148	$35,215,841	$2,039,372	-	-	$63,117	$51,395,478
4		$3,947,500	$44,965,000	-	$134,455,000	$29,300	$15,763	$183,412,563

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Workout	Incentives	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2017	22	$403,054	$8,215,841					$8,618,895	$8,618,895
2018	23	$1,094,740						$1,094,740	$9,713,635
2019	24	$862,231			$862,249			$1,724,480	$11,438,115
2020	25	$1,177,123	$27,000,000		$1,177,123		$63,117	$29,417,363	$40,855,478
2021	26	$10,540,000						$10,540,000	$51,395,478
2022	27	$402,500	$44,965,000			$6,785		$45,374,285	$96,769,763
2023	28	$1,080,000		$44,920,000		$7,080		$46,007,080	$142,776,843
2024	29	$1,210,000		$44,790,000		$8,190	$15,763	$46,023,953	$188,800,796
2025	30	$1,255,000		$44,745,000		$7,245		$46,007,245	$234,808,041
Total		$18,024,648	$80,180,841	$134,455,000	$2,039,372	$29,300	$78,880	$234,808,041	$234,808,041
2026	31	$1,300,000		$44,700,000				$46,000,000
Total		$19,324,648	$80,180,841	$179,155,000	$2,039,372	$29,300	$78,880	$280,808,041

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
5		$14,077,148	$35,215,841	$2,039,372	-	-	$63,117	$51,395,478
4		$3,947,500	$44,965,000	-	$134,455,000	$29,300	$15,763	$183,412,563

Injuries

Year		Weeks	Reason
2025	CLE	1 - 18	Achilles
2024	CLE	8 - 18	Achilles
2023	CLE	11 - 18	Shoulder
2017	HOU	9 - 17	Knee (ACL)

Mar 06, 2026 Converted $44.7M of 2026 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, creating $35.76 of space with Cleveland (CLE)
Mar 06, 2025 Converted $44.7M of 2025 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, creating $35.796M of cap with Cleveland (CLE)
Aug 29, 2024 Converted $44.79M of 2024 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, clearing $35.832 million of cap with Cleveland (CLE)
Sep 22, 2023 Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Sep 22, 2023 Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Sep 22, 2023 Fined $13,659 Taunting (Gun Celebration)
Mar 13, 2023 Converted $44.92M of 2023 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, clearing $35.8M of cap with Cleveland (CLE)
Aug 18, 2022 Fined $5,000,000 Conduct detrimental to the league
Aug 01, 2022 Suspended 11 games for conduct detrimental to the league, forfeiting $632,500 in 2022 salary with Cleveland (CLE)
Mar 18, 2022 Signed a 5 year $230 million contract extension with Cleveland (CLE)
Mar 18, 2022 Traded to Cleveland (CLE) from Houston (HOU) with 2024 6th round pick (#203 - traded) for 2023 1st round pick (#12 - traded), 2022 1st round pick (#13 - traded), 2024 1st round pick (#23 - traded), 2023 3rd round pick (#73 - traded), 2022 4th round pick (#107 Dameon Pierce) and 2024 4th round pick (#123 - traded)
Dec 21, 2020 Fined $7,500 Conduct detrimental to the league (COVID Protocols)
Sep 05, 2020 Signed a 4 year $156 million contract extension with Houston (HOU)
Apr 27, 2020 Houston (HOU) exercised a $17.54 million 5th year option for 2021
May 12, 2017 Signed a 4 year $13.85 million contract with Houston (HOU)
Apr 27, 2017 Drafted by Houston (HOU): Round 1 (#12 overall)

Fines

Date	Reason	Fine Amount
Sep 22, 2023	Taunting (Gun Celebration)	$13,659
Sep 22, 2023	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$10,927
Sep 22, 2023	Unsportsmanlike Conduct	$10,927
Aug 18, 2022	Conduct detrimental to the league	$5,000,000
Dec 21, 2020	Conduct detrimental to the league (COVID Protocols)	$7,500
Fines: 5		$5,043,013

Suspensions

Date		Reason	Games Suspended	Fine Amount
Aug 01, 2022		Conduct detrimental to the league	11	$632,500
Suspensions: 1				$632,500

Year	Team	GP	GS	Snaps	Snaps%	Pass Attempts	Pass Completions	Pass Completion %	Pass Yards	Pass Yards/Gm	Pass Touchdowns	Pass Interceptions	Pass Rating	Rush Attempts	Rush Yards	Rush Touchdowns	Fum
2024	CLE	7	7	415	35.14	216	137	63.4	1,148	164.0	5	3	79.01	31	148	1	5
2023	CLE	6	5	383	30.89	171	105	61.4	1,115	185.8	7	4	84.32	26	142	1	5
2022	CLE	6	6	387	33.02	170	99	58.2	1,102	183.7	7	5	79.09	36	175	1	1
2021	HOU	0	0	0	0.00	0	0	0.0	0	0.0	0	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
2020	HOU	16	16	979	100.00	544	382	70.2	4,823	301.4	33	7	112.40	90	444	3	8
2019	HOU	15	15	1,026	93.70	495	333	67.3	3,852	256.8	26	12	97.98	82	413	7	10
2018	HOU	16	16	1,093	99.90	505	345	68.3	4,165	260.3	26	9	103.11	99	551	5	9
2017	HOU	7	6	464	42.10	204	126	61.8	1,699	242.7	19	8	102.96	36	269	2	3

TRANSACTIONS

Mar 06, 2026

Converted $44.7M of 2026 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, creating $35.76 of space with Cleveland (CLE)

Mar 06, 2025

Converted $44.7M of 2025 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, creating $35.796M of cap with Cleveland (CLE)

Aug 29, 2024

Converted $44.79M of 2024 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, clearing $35.832 million of cap with Cleveland (CLE)

Sep 22, 2023

Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Sep 22, 2023

Fined $10,927 Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Sep 22, 2023

Fined $13,659 Taunting (Gun Celebration)

Mar 13, 2023

Converted $44.92M of 2023 salary into signing bonus, adding 1 void year, clearing $35.8M of cap with Cleveland (CLE)

Aug 18, 2022

Fined $5,000,000 Conduct detrimental to the league

Aug 01, 2022

Suspended 11 games for conduct detrimental to the league, forfeiting $632,500 in 2022 salary with Cleveland (CLE)

Mar 18, 2022

Signed a 5 year $230 million contract extension with Cleveland (CLE)

Mar 18, 2022

Traded to Cleveland (CLE) from Houston (HOU) with 2024 6th round pick (#203 - traded) for 2023 1st round pick (#12 - traded), 2022 1st round pick (#13 - traded), 2024 1st round pick (#23 - traded), 2023 3rd round pick (#73 - traded), 2022 4th round pick (#107 Dameon Pierce) and 2024 4th round pick (#123 - traded)

TRENDING PLAYERS

1 Maxx Crosby (DE, BAL)
2 Garrett Bradbury (C, CHI)
3 Geno Smith (QB, LV)
4 Deshaun Watson (QB, CLE)
5 Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
6 Taylor Decker (LT, DET)
7 Tom Brady (QB, TB)
8 D.J. Moore (WR, BUF)
9 Rashan Gary (DE, GB)
10 Danielle Hunter (DE, HOU)
11 Stefon Diggs (WR, NE)
12 Trey Hendrickson (DE, CIN)
13 A.J. Brown (WR, PHI)
14 Drew Dalman (C, CHI)
15 Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)

TRENDING PAGES

1 2028 Quarterback Free Agents
2 NFL Transactions
3 2025 Offensive Linemen Free Agents
4 NFL Cap Tracker
5 2025 Running Back Contract Average Rankings

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