Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns, Quarterback

Age: 29y-3m-10d (Sep 14, 1995)

Exp: 7 Years

Country: US

College: Clemson

Drafted: Round 1 (#12 overall), 2017

Agent(s): David Mulugheta (Athletes First)

2024 Cap Hit

$27,942,678

2024 Cash

$46,000,000

Career Earnings

$188,762,978

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 2024, Watson will earn a base salary of $1,210,000 and a restructure bonus of $44,790,000, while carrying a cap hit of $27,942,678 and a dead cap value of $200,712,678.

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		$9,395,500	4.51%	$45,367,500	$45,367,500	$229,367,500
2023	28		$19,057,000	8.48%	$46,000,000	$91,367,500	$220,057,000
2024	29		$27,942,678	10.94%	$46,000,000	$137,367,500	$200,712,678
2025	30		$72,935,000	26.69%	$46,000,000	$183,367,500	$172,770,000
2026	31		$72,935,000	24.94%	$46,000,000	$229,367,500	$99,835,000
2027	32	Void UFA	$26,900,000	8.60%	-	$229,367,500	$26,900,000
2028		Void	-	-	-	$229,367,500	-

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Restructure Proration	Cap Hit	Cap % League Cap	Dead Cap
2022	27		$402,500	$8,993,000	-	$9,395,500	4.51%	$229,367,500
2023	28		$1,080,000	$8,993,000	$8,984,000	$19,057,000	8.48%	$220,057,000
2024	29		$1,210,000	$8,790,678	$17,942,000	$27,942,678	10.94%	$200,712,678	2024 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2024 Dead Cap: $200,712,678 2024 Savings: $-172,770,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2024 Dead Cap: $107,502,678 2024 Savings: $-79,560,000 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. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2024 Dead Cap: $119,942,678 2025 Dead Cap: $80,770,000 2024 Savings: $-92,000,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2024 Dead Cap: $26,732,678 2025 Dead Cap: $80,770,000 2024 Savings: $1,210,000 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.
2025	30		$46,000,000	$8,993,000	$17,942,000	$72,935,000	26.69%	$172,770,000	2025 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2025 Dead Cap: $172,770,000 2025 Savings: $-99,835,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2025 Dead Cap: $80,770,000 2025 Savings: $-7,835,000 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. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2025 Dead Cap: $118,935,000 2026 Dead Cap: $53,835,000 2025 Savings: $-46,000,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2025 Dead Cap: $26,935,000 2026 Dead Cap: $53,835,000 2025 Savings: $46,000,000 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.
2026	31		$46,000,000	$8,993,000	$17,942,000	$72,935,000	24.94%	$99,835,000	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $99,835,000 2026 Savings: $-26,900,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $53,835,000 2026 Savings: $19,100,000 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. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $72,935,000 2027 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2026 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $26,935,000 2027 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2026 Savings: $46,000,000 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	-	-	$17,942,000	$26,900,000	8.60%	$26,900,000	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2027 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2027 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. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2027 Savings: $26,900,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Dead Cap: $26,900,000 2027 Savings: $26,900,000 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.
2028		Void	-	-	$8,958,000	-	-	-	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Savings: $0 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 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. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2028 Savings: $0 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $0 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2028 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	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2022	27		$402,500	$44,965,000	-	$45,367,500	$45,367,500	$229,367,500
2023	28		$1,080,000	-	$44,920,000	$46,000,000	$91,367,500	$184,000,000
2024	29		$1,210,000	-	$44,790,000	$46,000,000	$137,367,500	$138,000,000
2025	30		$46,000,000	-	-	$46,000,000	$183,367,500	$92,000,000
2026	31		$46,000,000	-	-	$46,000,000	$229,367,500	$46,000,000
2027	32	Void	-	-	-	-	$229,367,500	-
2028	33	Void	-	-	-	-	$229,367,500	-

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

Deshaun Watson signed a 4 year , $156,000,000 contract with the Houston Texans, including $27,000,000 signing bonus, $110,717,123 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $39,000,000. In 2024, Watson will earn a base salary of $32,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $32,000,000.

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

To see the rest of the Deshaun Watson's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

2017-2021 Rookie

Deshaun Watson signed a 4 year , $13,854,281 contract with the Houston Texans, including $8,215,841 signing bonus, $13,854,281 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,463,570.

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

To see the rest of the Deshaun Watson's contract breakdowns, & gain access to all of Spotrac's Premium tools, sign up today. Already Subscribed? Login Here

Seasons

7 Years

Career Earnings thru 2024

$188,762,978

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	$45,367,500	$96,762,978
2023	28	Injured	$46,000,000	$142,762,978
2024	29	Injured	$46,000,000	$188,762,978
Total			$188,762,978	$188,762,978
2025	30	Active	$46,000,000
2026	31	Active	$46,000,000
Total			$280,762,978

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
3		$2,692,500	$44,965,000	-	$89,710,000	-	-	$137,367,500

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	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				$45,367,500	$96,762,978
2023	28	$1,080,000		$44,920,000			$46,000,000	$142,762,978
2024	29	$1,210,000		$44,790,000			$46,000,000	$188,762,978
Total		$16,769,648	$80,180,841	$89,710,000	$2,039,372	$63,117	$188,762,978	$188,762,978
2025	30	$46,000,000					$46,000,000
2026	31	$46,000,000					$46,000,000
Total		$108,769,648	$80,180,841	$89,710,000	$2,039,372	$63,117	$280,762,978

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
3		$2,692,500	$44,965,000	-	$89,710,000	-	-	$137,367,500

Injuries

Year		Weeks	Reason
2024	CLE	8 - 0	Achilles
2023	CLE	11 - 18	Shoulder
2017	HOU	9 - 17	Knee (ACL)

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	87.00	216	137	63.4	1,148	164.0	5	3	79.01	31	148	1	5
2023	CLE	6	5	383	56.20	171	105	61.4	1,115	185.8	7	4	84.32	26	142	1	5
2022	CLE	6	6	387	98.70	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	99.90	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	59.40	204	126	61.8	1,699	242.7	19	8	102.96	36	269	2	3

TRANSACTIONS

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 Brock Purdy (QB, SF)
2 Kirk Cousins (QB, ATL)
3 Aaron Rodgers (QB, NYJ)
4 Sam Darnold (QB, MIN)
5 Derek Carr (QB, NO)

TRENDING PAGES

1 NFL Free Agents
2 NFL Transactions
3 NFL Salary Rankings
4 NFL Cap Tracker
5 NFL Contracts

Deshaun Watson

2024 Cap Hit

2024 Cash

Career Earnings

2022-2026 Extension (CURRENT)

2020-2025 Rookie Extension

2017-2021 Rookie

Seasons

Career Earnings thru 2024

Earnings w/ Different Teams

Earnings Per Year

Earnings Per Team

Earnings Per Team

Injuries

Fines

Suspensions

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

Moving Off of the Kirk Cousins Contract

TRANSACTIONS

Aug 29, 2024

Sep 22, 2023

Sep 22, 2023

Sep 22, 2023

Mar 13, 2023

Aug 18, 2022

Aug 01, 2022

Mar 18, 2022

Mar 18, 2022

Dec 21, 2020

Sep 05, 2020

Apr 27, 2020

May 12, 2017

Apr 27, 2017

TRENDING PLAYERS

TRENDING PAGES

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Southeast

Atlantic

Central

Southwest

Northwest

Pacific

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

AL West

AL East

AL Central

NL West

NL East

NL Central

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Atlantic

Metropolitan

Pacific

Central

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Eastern

Western

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Eastern

Western

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players

Home

Popular Pages

Trending Players

ATP

WTA

NASCAR CUP

FORMULA 1

Home

Teams

Popular Pages

Transactions

Trending Players