Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The Cleveland Browns converted $44.75 million of quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 2025 salary into a signing bonus, creating $35.8 million of salary cap space. The team has already reworked Watson's contract in the past but is continuing to make moves to make it less of a financial burden in the future. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with Cleveland ahead of the 2022 campaign, but it's been a disastrous tenure for the former Houston Texans first-round pick. Watson has compiled a 9-10 record across three seasons behind 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. The 29-year-old's 2023 season ended with a major shoulder injury, and his 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles. Since his in-game Achilles tear, he has suffered another Achilles setback. Watson is not expected to play in 2025, and it would be a surprise if he sees any playing time for Cleveland in 2026.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at the NFL Combine this week that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) wasn't doing "anything nefarious" when he re-tore his right Achilles tendon last month. There has been speculation that the Browns would try to recoup some or all of the $92 million they still owe Watson for the final two years of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal. That hasn't been the case, though, and Watson continues to rehab in Cleveland and is determined to play again after the devastating injury. Still, the 29-year-old is no lock to be able to play at all in 2025 and might not play again for the Browns at all. If he stays with the Browns in 2025, which seems likely, the best bet is that Cleveland will bring in a veteran (through either trade or free agency) to serve as the starter under center.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will hit the free-agent market when free agency opens on March 12, according to general manager Andrew Berry. The former second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft rushed for 996 yards as a rookie before compiling four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2019 to 2022. He suffered a significant knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign, limiting him to just two games played. The 29-year-old returned to action in Week 7 last season but rushed for just 322 yards and three touchdowns in eight games before suffering a broken foot. With Chubb's future outlook uncertain and Cleveland needing to flip its roster, there's a good chance his time with the organization is over. However, the Browns could bring him back on a cheap deal if he does not draw much interest in the open market.