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 has undergone another surgery after rupturing his right Achilles for a second time, the team announced Friday.

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.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson underwent surgery Thursday after tearing his Achilles again, and his status for the 2025 season is now in jeopardy, per league sources. Watson met Thursday with Dr. Robert Anderson before undergoing the surgery. Watson tore his right Achilles tendon… pic.twitter.com/wEhPxlFuMk

The setback Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered on his previously-injured Achilles was reportedly a new tear that required surgery. The

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

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's availability for the 2025 season is in jeopardy after additional tests revealed that he ruptured his Achilles again.