Even before Deshaun Watson’s 2023 season ended prematurely due to — as we learned on Wednesday morning — shoulder surgery, there were already questions about whether his contract with the Cleveland Browns was the all-time worst in the NFL.
Besides the fact that he’s struggled this season when on the field, Watson got all that money — $230 million, ALL GUARANTEED! — following, as our Christian D’Andrea reminds us, “20 accusations of sexual misconduct and what the NFL would later describe as ‘predatory behavior.'”
On the field, he’s played 12 games in two years for the franchise, thrown 14 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. The rushing numbers in Houston have not been there in Cleveland.
So everyone’ reacting the same way:
The Browns just announced that Deshaun Watson will have season-ending shoulder surgery.
Cleveland signed him for 5 years at $46M per year, FULLY GUARANTEED. His cap number balloons to $64M for three straight years starting next season.
Worst. Contract. Ever.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) November 15, 2023
Breaking: Browns QB Deshaun Watson will be out for the rest of the 2023 season due to requiring shoulder surgery, per the @Browns #DawgPound
Is his contract the worst contract of all time? pic.twitter.com/EzRHzZH3sW
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) November 15, 2023
Deshaun Watsons contract. pic.twitter.com/8xekWIDDFf
— TheFanOpinion🔮🇳🇱 (@TheFanOpinion) November 15, 2023
#ooc that trade and contract for Watson is looking worse and worse by the day for the Browns. Deshaun now requires season ending surgery to repair a fracture in his shoulder.
— Kross (@KendrickKross) November 15, 2023
12 games played for Deshaun Watson since the 2020 season. In those games he has averaged:
– 184.7 Passing YPG
– 26.4 Rushing YPG
– 16 Total TDs
– 15 Turnovers
– 81.7 QBRAll while being on a $230 million dollar guaranteed contract.
— Andrew Harbaugh (@AHarbaugh_) November 15, 2023
The Deshaun Watson contract will go down as the worst in the history of sports https://t.co/niZz9PnWaC
— Conor Sheeran (@conor__sheeran) November 15, 2023