Myles Garrett makes feelings clear on Deshaun Watson’s job security as Browns grapple with $230,000,000 decision

The Cleveland Browns certainly sent a message when they signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract. Whether that was the right message is a subject that's up for debate, but the Browns will be stuck with that albatross of a deal for the foreseeable future.

Watson didn't showcase $230 million worth of talent on the field this year before going down with a shoulder injury. His season ended in October, and we haven't seen or heard from Watson since, unless you count his trip to Miami with his girlfriend, Jilly Anais.

Since Watson went down with injury, the Browns turned to Jameis Winston, but he was an inactive this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dorian Thompson-Robinson took his spot under center but went 20-of-34 for 157 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. That wasn't nearly enough to fight against Joe Burrow's offense as the Browns fell to their 12th loss of the year.

After the game, with several questions about the quarterback spot in 2025, star pass rusher Myles Garrett was asked for his take on whether the door would be open for Watson next year.

“Once he’s ready and willing to come back, I’m going to support whoever’s behind center," Garrett said. "That’s no dig at Deshaun. I’m hoping he’s ready when the time comes but that’s a tough injury to come back from. We don’t know his timetable. Always hoping for the best with him.

"He’s been a hell of a teammate and a hell of a person while he’s been with us. Even off the field helping support so many things we’re passionate about. It’s definitely no dig or any smoke between us.”

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Can the Cleveland Browns cut Deshaun Watson in 2025?

NFL franchises appear to be a little more open to letting their expensive quarterbacks go in recent years. Russell Wilson's mammoth contract didn't stop the Denver Broncos from letting him go, while the Atlanta Falcons are also heading in that direction after giving Kirk Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed this summer.

Deshaun Watson's case, however, is a little different. There's a reason his contract is considered one of the worst in the league.

If the Browns consider cutting Watson this summer, his 2025 dead-cap hit would clock in at a massive $118.9 million (including $92 million cash), followed by a 2026 dead-cap hit of $53.8 million. Those numbers would easily qualify as the largest dead-cap hit of all time.

The years ahead don't get much cheaper either.