Deshaun Watson Contract, Salary Cap Figures, Salaries, Bonuses
In this article, you will be known how the Deshaun Watson contract derailed Lamar Jackson’s situation. Read the entire article to get complete insights. When the browns gave a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract to quarterback Deshaun Watson, they surely didn’t have any intentions to throw a wrench in the relationship between the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson. But they did. (browns fans regard that as a collateral benefit.)
Deshaun Watson Contract
After reminiscing, the question arises about why would not Warson’s deal creates an issue between the Ravens and Jackson. As we know, he’s a former MVP who has accomplished far more than Watson ever has. Whereas Jackson has not been sued once for alleged sexual misconduct during massage-therapy sessions. Watson was sued more than 20 times- and most of those cases were pending when the Browns paid and traded for him.
| YEAR | BASE SALARY | SIGNING | RESTRUCTURE | CAP HIT | DEAD CAP | YEARLY CASH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $402,500 | $8,993,000 | – | $9,395,500 | $229,367,500 | $45,367,500 |
| 2023 | $1,080,000 | $8,993,000 | $8,984,000 | $19,057,000 | $220,057,000 | $46,000,000 |
| 2024 | $46,000,000 | $8,993,000 | $8,984,000 | $63,977,000 | $200,915,000 | $46,000,000 |
| 2025 | $46,000,000 | $8,993,000 | $8,984,000 | $63,977,000 | $136,938,000 | $46,000,000 |
| 2026 | $46,000,000 | $8,993,000 | $8,984,000 | $63,977,000 | $72,961,000 | $46,000,000 |
| 2027 | – | – | $8,984,000 | $8,984,000 | $8,984,000 | – |
Along the way, Watson made $10 million by not playing in 2021. Then, after missing a full season, Watson got $46 million per year on a five-year deal with every dollar guaranteed at signing. Jackson has all the right to comment on Watson’s contract. He believed that he was worth much more. Adding to the argument is the fact that the Browns also gave up three first-round picks and more in order to secure the ability to pay Jackson. The Ravens can make the financial commitment without wasting so many key draft picks. Basically, the total investment made by the Browns far exceeds the $230 million in full guarantees at signing.
Still, despite the obvious apples-to-apples comparisons between Jackson and Watson, key differences existed. After the 2020 season, Watson made it clear that he was done with the Texans. The Texans agreed to trade him; they could have refused. Then, once the potential for a criminal to pursue, the Texans and Watson’s agents’ set up a four-team scramble for Deshaun. Whether before Watson received good news from a grand jury or right after he was traded, the time for Jackson to ask for a trade was a year ago.
Age: 28
Free Agency: 2027 (Void)
Accrued Seasons: 6
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 221
- College: Clemson
- Entry: 2017 Draft, Round 1, #12 overall (Texans)
- 2023 Salary Cap Charge: $19,057,000 (7.59% of cap)
- 2023 Cash Payout: $46,000,000 (16.23% of spending)
- 2023 Cash to Cap Ratio: 2.41
- Contract Value: $230,000,000 ($46,000,000 APY)
- Fully Guaranteed Money: $230,000,000
- Contract Ranking: 4/94 at QB
It all comes back to Lamar not having someone who is skilled not just at securing a contract but also at coming up with an effective strategy and implementing it. Lamar’s camp has been unable to develop a strategy. It has been unable to negotiate a deal. It has been unable to close a deal that was on the table and, in hindsight, he perhaps should have been taken.
On one hand, it’s unfortunate for Lamar, the million dollars he could have earned over the last two seasons are gone, and they are never coming back. On the other hand, we all have the basic right to screw up our own business interests. The sooner he understands the difference between Deshaun’s situation, the more closely Lamar will turn things around and will get what he deserves.
Thank you for being a patient reader.
