Cleveland shoulders $60.87 million dead money paying 13 former players representing NFL’s second-highest penalty behind only New England’s $66.1 million.
Amari Cooper ($22.58M), Za’Darius Smith ($12.04M), and Jedrick Wills Jr. ($7.39M) consume 14.3% of $279.2 million league ceiling without roster contributions creating impossible financial constraints.
Deshaun Watson’s five-year $230 million fully guaranteed contract (signed March 2022) carries $92 million remaining obligations through 2026 despite torn Achilles ending 2024 season after six starts.
Myles Garrett’s March 2025 extension ($40M AAV, $123.5M guaranteed) locks defensive cornerstone through 2030 with no-trade clause while Browns operate with just $12.6 million cap flexibility ranking 25th NFL-wide.
Check Cleveland Browns player profiles featuring career biography and net worth details.
Dead Cap Disaster: $60.87M Paying Ghosts
Cooper trade to Buffalo created $22.58 million 2025 dead charge representing NFL’s costliest single-player penalty. Smith release ($12.04M), Wills cut ($7.39M), and Kareem Hunt departure ($5.21M) compound financial crisis limiting competitive roster construction.
| Former Player | Position | Dead Cap 2025 | Reason | Impact |
| Amari Cooper | WR | $22.58M | Traded to Bills | NFL’s highest single dead cap |
| Za’Darius Smith | EDGE | $12.04M | Released March 2025 | Second-highest Browns penalty |
| Jedrick Wills Jr. | OT | $7.39M | Cut for performance | $18M total dead (2024-25) |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | $5.21M | Free agent departure | Void year acceleration |
| David Njoku | TE | $4.03M | Restructure charges | Bonus proration |
| Shelby Harris | DL | $3.26M | Released | Cap savings minimal |
| Ethan Pocic | C | $2.65M | Free agent loss | Void year cost |
| Juan Thornhill | S | $1.91M | Released | Safety depth casualty |
| 5 others combined | Various | $1.76M | Cuts/trades | Cleanup moves |
Cooper’s trade created immediate $9.56 million cap savings 2024 but triggered $22.58 million 2025 acceleration demonstrating short-term relief creating long-term disaster. His Bills production (79 catches, 1,079 yards, nine TDs) highlights Browns sacrificing elite talent for cap management.
Watson remains unavailable recovering from torn right Achilles suffered Week 7 versus Cincinnati yet consumes $35.98 million cap hit through restructured deal. His $92 million guaranteed 2025-2026 prevents release creating untradeable anchor despite 9-9 record as Cleveland starter.
Current Roster: Garrett’s $40M Anchors Thin Depth
Garrett’s record defensive player extension ($40M AAV surpassing Myles Jack’s $17.5M previous high) demonstrates Browns’ win-now commitment despite cap constraints. Denzel Ward ($14.78M), Jerry Jeudy ($13M), and Watson ($35.98M) complete top-four charges with nine total players exceeding $10 million annually.
| Player | Position | 2025 Cap Hit | Contract Value | Guaranteed Left | Extension Window |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | $35.98M | $230M (fully GTD) | $92M (2025-26) | Restructured Dec 2024 |
| Myles Garrett | EDGE | $19.80M | $125M extension | $123.5M | 2030 (no-trade) |
| Denzel Ward | CB | $14.78M | $100.5M | $12.45M (2025) | 2027 (voids 2028) |
| Jerry Jeudy | WR | $13M | $52.5M trade acquisition | $41M total | 2027 |
| Joel Bitonio | OG | $12.38M | $48M | – | 2025 (likely final year) |
| Wyatt Teller | OG | $11.61M | $56.8M | – | 2027 |
| Greg Newsome II | CB | $10.98M | 5th-year option | $10.98M | 2026 (extension talks) |
| David Njoku | TE | $10.78M | $56.75M | – | 2028 |
| Elijah Moore | WR | $9.93M | Extension candidate | – | 2026 FA |
| Juan Thornhill | S | $8.86M | $21M | – | 2026 |
Jeudy’s March 2024 trade from Denver cost fifth and sixth-round picks but added proven #1 receiver on team-friendly $52.5 million extension ($13.13M AAV). His 1,016 yards on 93 catches justified Browns’ aggressive weapon acquisition supporting Watson’s return.
Ward’s $20.1 million AAV made him NFL’s highest-paid cornerback when signed April 2022 surpassing Jalen Ramsey’s $20M. His $14.78 million 2025 cap hit represents final manageable year before ballooning to $32.96 million 2026 requiring extension or restructure.
Watson’s $60M Net Worth Despite Guaranteed Fortune
Watson accumulated $60 million through $230M Browns contract ($138M earned through 2025) plus previous Houston deals totaling $104M career earnings. His minimal endorsements post-lawsuits limit off-field income to $1 million annually versus typical franchise QB $5-10M portfolios.
| Player | Est. Net Worth | Career Earnings | Current Deal | Key Factor |
| Deshaun Watson | $60M | $138M (Browns portion) | $230M fully GTD | 26 lawsuits reduced brands |
| Myles Garrett | $35M-$50M | $95M+ | $125M extension | 2017 #1 overall pick |
| Denzel Ward | $25M-$35M | $89M+ | $100.5M extension | 2018 #4 overall pick |
| Joel Bitonio | $20M-$30M | $72M+ | $48M (2020) | 10-year veteran |
| Amari Cooper (departed) | $40M-$55M | $135M+ career | Now with Bills | Four-time Pro Bowler |
Garrett’s extension featuring $123.5M guaranteed and no-trade clause provides unprecedented security for defensive player. His $40 million AAV represents 55% raise from previous $25.8M contract demonstrating market-setting leverage after trade request resolved through historic compensation.
Ward’s $89 million career earnings through seven seasons project $150M+ if fulfilling complete five-year $100.5M extension. His 2022 contract made him youngest cornerback ever to earn $20M+ annually at age 24.
2026 Cap Outlook: Minimal Relief Ahead
Browns project under $10 million available 2026 space ranking worst NFL-wide before Watson’s final guaranteed year ($46M). Dead cap continues through Wills ($11M), Cooper carryover ($4M), and void year accelerations creating multi-year financial prison.
Restructure Necessity: Ward ($14.78M to $32.96M jump), Njoku ($10.78M), Teller ($11.61M) conversions required freeing $15-20M short-term while pushing charges to 2027-2028.
Watson’s Untradeable Status: $167.13 million dead cap if cut prevents any release scenario. Restructure converts salary to bonus spreading payments but adds future burden while quarterback remains unavailable.
Draft Dependency: Nine-pick 2025 class must contribute immediately on rookie contracts providing cost-controlled depth. First-round pick Dawand Jones ($4.1M 2025) represents rare affordable starter amid veteran cap bloat.
FAQs
Who is Cleveland’s highest-paid player?
Deshaun Watson carries $35.98 million 2025 cap hit earning $46M annually through five-year $230M fully guaranteed contract signed March 2022. His torn Achilles recovery eliminates 2025 availability yet $92M remaining guarantees prevent release creating NFL’s costliest unavailable player situation.
How much dead cap do Browns have?
Cleveland shoulders $60.87M dead money (second-highest NFL) paying 13 former players: Amari Cooper ($22.58M highest single penalty), Za’Darius Smith ($12.04M), Jedrick Wills ($7.39M), Kareem Hunt ($5.21M). Combined dead cap represents 21.8% of $279.2M league ceiling.
What is Myles Garrett’s new contract worth?
Garrett signed extension March 2025 paying $40M AAV ($125M total, $123.5M guaranteed) through 2030 with no-trade clause. His deal makes him NFL’s highest-paid defensive player surpassing previous $17.5M benchmark establishing new market ceiling for edge rushers.
How much cap space do Browns have?
Cleveland maintains just $12.6M available ranking 25th NFL after $60.87M dead money and Watson’s $35.98M consume 34.7% of ceiling. Projected 2026 space under $10M (worst NFL) requires aggressive restructures of Ward, Njoku, Teller freeing $15-20M.
What is Deshaun Watson’s net worth?
Watson’s $60M net worth stems from $138M Browns earnings (through 2025) plus $104M career total from Houston. His 26 lawsuits (settled) eliminated endorsement portfolio reducing off-field income to $1M annually versus typical franchise QB $5-10M from brands.
