The latest Cleveland Browns news and notes from around the NFL in the Sunday Dawg Chow.
The Cleveland Browns tied themselves to quarterback Deshaun Watson as tight as possible when they signed him to a fully guaranteed contract in 2022.
No matter how well or poorly Watson played, he was going to be on the team’s roster through at least the 2025 season and, more likely, through the end of the deal in 2026.
Watson’s historically poor play and consecutive season-ending injuries did not alter that uncomfortable truth thanks to the $92 million still owed him in the final two years of the deal.
Anyone who thought differently was hit with the cold reality on Friday as Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry and Watson’s representatives worked out a deal that added two voidable years to the contract and pushed his dead salary cap numbers to 2030.
The move will help the Browns as it relates to the salary cap but does nothing to help them move on from Watson until the deal is done.
Of course, while Watson will remain on the roster, that doesn’t mean the Browns have to actually play him. But that, as they say, is next year’s problem.
For now, let’s start the weekend with the latest edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Deshaun Watson, Browns agree to new contract (Jared Mueller) – According to a report, Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a new deal that will help the salary cap for the future and, seemingly, ensure he is on the team next year.
- Browns vs. Dolphins Week 17 Need to Know (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns close out the home portion of their 2024 season on Sunday when they host the Miami Dolphins.
- Browns rule out 3 starters for game against the Dolphins (Jared Mueller) – The Cleveland Browns will be without three starters when they host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
- Cleveland opens as underdog against the Dolphins (Chris Pokorny) – The Cleveland Browns opened as 6.5-point home underdogs against the Miami Dolphins ahead of their Week 17 match-up, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under on the game is currently 40.5.
- Jerry Jeudy on staying consistent with Cleveland (Matt Wilson) – The Cleveland Browns acquired WR Jerry Jeudy before the 2024 season began, and he quickly became an important piece of the offensive puzzle within the first few weeks of being in town.
- Kirk Cousins to Browns rumors heating up (Jared Mueller) – The 2024 NFL season is coming to a close in a couple of weeks but the 2025 NFL offseason is starting to take shape at least with QB Kirk Cousins. Cousins is likely to hit NFL free agency after the Atlanta Falcons release him for salary cap reasons. While there is a chance that a trade to the Cleveland Browns for QB Deshaun Watson could work for everyone involved, free agency is the most likely option.
- Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 are what Browns have tried to avoid (Jared Mueller) – At first blush, comparing the Cleveland Browns to the Pittsburgh Steelers is silly. Not only are the Steelers locked into an NFL playoff spot but they are still competing for the AFC North crown.
Cleveland Browns:
- Deshaun Watson’s Cleveland Browns contract restructured to aid post-2026 salary cap hits (Beacon Journal) – The Cleveland Browns have once again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract, a league source confirmed for the Beacon Journal. The deal doesn’t change the nearly $73 million cap hit that Watson would be on the Browns salary cap for next season, although a future restructuring before next season could occur. It’s more about the dead money that would exist after the contract expires after the 2026 season.
- Brook Park hires law firm to assist with Browns relocation and domed stadium project (cleveland.com) – Brook Park City Council approved hiring a law firm to represent the city in negotiations and planning for the Cleveland Browns’ potential relocation and the development of a new domed stadium.
- LB coach Jason Tarver says Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in ‘good spirits,’ remains connected to team (Browns Zone) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is in “good spirits” and remains in touch with the team as he continues to deal with the neck injury sustained Oct. 27 against the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL:
- Mike McGlinchey not feeling pressure amid Broncos’ postseason bid: ‘It’s not the Catalina Wine Mixer’ (NFL.com) – The Denver Broncos are out to secure their first playoff bid since Super Bowl 50 on Saturday afternoon against the Cincinnati Bengals on NFL Network. For Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who was part of several deep postseason runs during his five years in San Francisco, the key is to play loose and not make the objective into a Mile High mental mountain.
- Packers vs. Vikings: Breaking down epic NFC North matchup (ESPN) – Earlier this week, Kevin O’Connell suggested that Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers would be a matchup between two “really good teams.” O’Connell, the Vikings’ coach, was being modest. More accurately, the contest will be a clash between two of the NFL’s best teams.
- The four big takeaways from the NFL’s Christmas Day games (The Ringer) – The NFL came for Christmas, and thanks to Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Beyoncé, it might have won.