Analyst Calls Deshaun Watson’s Contract ‘Worst in NFL History’

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Deshaun Watson‘s tenure with the Cleveland Browns has been labeled a financial disaster by analysts, with one calling his contract the “worst in NFL history.” The quarterback, who has struggled on the field and faced multiple injuries, remains a costly burden for the franchise.

Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked Watson at the bottom of his latest quarterback rankings, placing him below players like Will Levis, Drew Lock, and Aidan O'Connell. Davenport attributed Watson’s position to his $230 million fully guaranteed contract, calling it “the single worst contract in the history of the NFL.”

“The Browns are stuck with Watson for the foreseeable future,” Davenport wrote. “But the 29-year-old has been awful when he’s been out there in Cleveland and just had a second surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. The Watson trade and contract represent the worst personnel move in league history. Period.”

Watson, who joined the Browns in 2022 after a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans, has failed to replicate his earlier success. His performance has declined significantly, compounded by injuries and off-field controversies. The Browns’ decision to sign him to a fully guaranteed deal before he played a single snap has drawn widespread criticism.

Despite Watson’s undeniable talent, his struggles have left the Browns in a precarious position. The team faces significant financial repercussions if they attempt to move on from him, as they would still owe him millions in guaranteed money. However, analysts suggest the Browns may explore options to part ways with Watson in the upcoming offseason.

The Browns’ gamble on Watson was controversial from the start, given his legal issues and suspension during his final years with the Texans. While the trade made sense from a football perspective at the time, the contract has since been deemed a major misstep. The team now faces the challenge of rebuilding while managing the financial fallout from Watson’s deal.