Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson Now Earning His $230 Million Contract

Cleveland Browns Quarterback, Deshaun Watson, may finally be gaining favor with Browns fans.

Watson, 31, is playing on a five-year $230 million contract, which has been the source of contention for Brown fans since the day Watson came to Cleveland.

espn.com reported, the Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans in a very controversial transaction, to say the least.

After his 2020 season with the Texans, Watson requested a trade. He was unhappy with the direction of the Texans, and wanted out.

Watson was on the Texans roster for 2021, but he was inactive for every game, with a “non-injury, personal matter” as the reason.

Then it happened.

Texas sent Watson, and a 2024 sixth round draft pick to the Browns, in exchange for the Browns’ first round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Browns third round draft pick in 2023, and their fourth round picks in 2022, and 2024.

The Browns gave Watson that fully-guaranteed, five-year, $230 Million contract. It was the largest guaranteed player contract in NFL history.

Cleveland Browns Fan Reaction To Watson Trade:

To say Browns fans were outraged at Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam is an understatement. They were criticized and vilified by Browns fans, the national media, the NFL itself, and by anyone who had a passing interest in the National Football League.

Not only was Watson the recipient of a mega-contract, he was the subject of multiple sexual-assault charges.

espn.com noted after his trade to Cleveland, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 2022 games, and fined him $5 Million for his alleged conduct.

It was clear both Watson’s contract and the sexual assault allegations were a public relations nightmare for the Browns, their fans, and the NFL.

Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson’s On-Field Performance:

Playing against the Bengals on October 20, 2024, Watson suffered a ruptured Achilles. Some fans booed Watson while he was in pain.

While recovering, Watson suffered another rupture of his Achilles, and he was out for the 2025 season.

Cleveland Browns 2026 Edition of Deshaun Watson:

Watson has been quoted as saying, “Last time I played on this field, I tore my Achilles and that same fanbase, they cheered.”

When he was in a quarterback completion with Shedeur Sanders during training camp, Watson finished an exhibition game with a game of 5-17, and 35 yards passing against the Buffalo Bills.

When asked before that exhibition game what reaction he expected from fans, Watson replied, “I don’t care.”

As the season began, and Watson was named the starting Quarterback, fans were clamoring for Sanders to start.

But, Browns Head Coach, Todd Monken was adamant that Watson was, and is, his Quarterback.

Cleveland Browns’ Watson Quiets The Boos:

It must be pointed out that Deshaun Watson was a Pro Bowl Quarterback for Houston in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Clearly, there was talent in that big right arm, and 6-3, 223 pound frame.

As Pro Football reference.com points out, Watson has led his Browns to a 4-2 record in 2026, which was not expected.

Watson beat Tampa Bay, Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. He lost to Jacksonville in Week 1, and the New York Jets in Week 5.

Watson has completed 63.8% of his passes, has thrown seven touchdowns, and has been intercepted only twice.

Watson has thrown for 1,174 yards, on 111 completions, in 174 attempts.

Watson has gained 196 yards rushing in 45 attempts. He has no rushing touchdowns.

Watson has fumbled six times, losing four.

Cleveland Browns’ Watson’s Late Game Heroics:

Remarkably, as cleveland.com has pointed out, Watson has engineered four 4th Quarter Cleveland Browns come-back victories.

In every game they have won this season, Watson has made a consequential play or plays, moved his team down the field, and has gotten them in position for a game winning score. Usually, thanks to the strong leg of Browns kicker Andre Szmyt.

Now, as we enter Week 7 in the NFL, Deshaun Watson has quieted the once hostile Cleveland crowds.

Now, as the Cleveland Browns prepare to play the Tennessee Titans in Nashville Sunday, October 25, fan hostility has grown to great hope.

As the Cleveland Browns try to win their 5th game under Deshaun Watson, I will be in the stands in Nashville. I’ll be listening for boos, but they may not come.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com