Ranking the 5 worst NFL contracts ahead of the 2022 season

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NFL Free Agency: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced by general manager Andrew Berry (L) and head coach Kevin Stefanski during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

No. 1 worst contract in the NFL: Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns

5 years, $230 million, $230 million guaranteed

With all due respect to Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Barry and head coach Kevin Stefanski, who made a move to get a guy they felt could lead their franchise into actual title contention, this is the worst contract I have ever seen.

After the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson demanded a trade. He wasn’t going to play another down for the Houston Texans and the Texans were dug in the ground that they wouldn’t trade him.

Then came the off-field issues and allegations of sexual misconduct from 22 women, and Watson’s NFL future was very much up in the air.

After spending the entire year on the Texans’ roster but not playing, even though he wasn’t suspended or on some exempt list by the NFL, the Texans finally decided to listen to calls on Watson.

Watson essentially got to be recruited by NFL teams and it was reported that he had eliminated the Browns as an option.

Then, we assume, came this contract offer.

It seemed like Watson was bound for the NFC South before news broke that he had shockingly accepted a trade to the Browns, with a whopping $230 million in fully guaranteed cash attached.

What? Why?

Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed is more guaranteed money than any contract in NFL history…by $80 million.

Considering the off-field issues and year away from the game, the only reason to make a move like this is out of pure desperation.

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