It looks like 2026 is the more likely year for Watson to be cut. The Browns would absorb $73 million in dead money but would avoid losing cap space. Regardless, though, it’s going to cost the Browns when they finally do dump Watson.

The Browns have $44.3 million of Watson’s $46 million base salary covered by insurance. Yes, this means that the Browns will see $44.3 million put back into their cap space. However, this policy would not be cashed out until after the 2025 season, so the Browns would see that total recouped in their 2026 cap space.

The Cleveland Browns will be without quarterback Deshaun Watson for the foreseeable future, including significant time in the 2025 season. The controversial Watson suffered a second rupture of his right Achilles tendon and had surgery to fix the issue.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon for the second time in three months, a setback that could sideline him for the entire 2025 season.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has undergone another surgery after rupturing his right Achilles for a second time, the team announced Friday.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgery on Thursday after tearing his Achilles for the second time since October, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

If there's one team that's definitely going to be in the market to add a quarterback this offseason, it's the Cleveland Browns. Although they do have Deshaun Watson under contract, he tore his Achilles again while rehabbing from his original Achilles injury and that setback could cause him to miss some or even all of the 2025 season.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Watson suffered a "setback" in his recovery from the initial surgery.