Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) leaves the field after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-22 at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The contract agreement between the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson will forever be a major talking point among talking heads around various media outlets. However, Watson's contract, while it remains the only fully guaranteed deal, is pennies compared to the other deals getting handed out to quarterbacks now.
In fact, it won't be hard for the Browns to even get out of the deal after this season if Watson's play does not return to the form from his days in Houston. The Browns have opted not to restructure the deal this offseason as they are set to pay his full $64 million cap hit. This will give them massive relief either next offseason or the offseason after that to get out from the deal should they need to.
Moving on, two more quarterbacks just got paid within the last week. The Miami Dolphins locked down Tua Tagovailoa long-term, and the Green Bay Packers did the same with Jordan Love. After those two deals were signed, sealed, and delivered, where does Watson's contract rank in average per year among the other highly-paid quarterbacks?
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: $55m APY
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) on the field during a break in third quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the San Francisco 49ers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, November 12, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 13 to 3 at the half and fell to the 49ers with a final score of 34 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: $55m APY
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) makes an adjustment at the life during the first quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: $55m APY
Injured Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The Bengals fell to the Ravens, 34-20.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: $53.1m APY
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: $53m APY
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates after running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: $52.5m APY
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: $52m APY
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during timeout against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: $51m APY
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: $46.1m APY
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before playing against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: $46m APY
Nov 5, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates during warm ups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: $45m APY
Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany, ; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: $45m APY
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: $43m APY
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his 81 yard touchdown pass to Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (10).
Daniel Jones, New York Giants: $40m APY
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) walks off the field after failing to convert on downs in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in East Rutherford.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $40m APY
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) warms-up before the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 24, 2023.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40m APY
Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) makes a throw in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints: $37.5m APY
Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures during the first half against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets: $37.5m APY
FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 04: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets throws the ball during New York Jets OTA Offseason Workouts at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 04, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $33.3m APY
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks: $25m APY
Nov 5, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws dueling the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The NFC North is one of the NFL's top feel-good stories. The Browns ... aren't. And the horizon doesn't look promising even after they move off of Deshaun Watson.
Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are joined by ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan as they discuss which teams intrigue them the most this offseason before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.
The tone is certainly different as this hot stove season commences considering L.A.'s campaign ended on the ultimate high note, but that’s not to say the Dodgers won’t be busy.
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald kick off this monster episode by previewing the biggest matchups of an enticing Week 11 slate of NFL games by giving one (or two or three) things to watch in each. Later, Nate is joined by the Athletic's draft guru himself Dane Brugler to deep dive on the 2025 NFL Draft. The duo give strengths and weaknesses of the class and favorite players at each position before diving into their latest big boards and comparing key prospects to keep an eye on.
![Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) on the field during a break in third quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the San Francisco 49ers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL Sunday, November 12, 2023. The Jaguars trailed 13 to 3 at the half and fell to the 49ers with a final score of 34 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/A3R8rTD3A2hraZ0XidlD1Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cleveland_browns_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_724/9494a4374d138cc8ebe8bfba9b794752)
