Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett has reportedly demanded a trade, creating a major headache for the franchise. However, this difficult situation could present a unique opportunity. The Browns are now exploring the possibility of packaging Garrett with quarterback Deshaun Watson, potentially solving two massive problems in one of the most complex trades the NFL has ever seen.
A Desperate Solution to a $230 Million Problem
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is in a difficult position. Losing a player of Garrett’s caliber is a significant blow, but the chance to offload Deshaun Watson’s contract could be too good to pass up. Watson is still owed a staggering $92 million from his fully guaranteed $230 million deal, a financial burden that has crippled the team’s flexibility.
This type of “salary dump” trade has a precedent. The Browns themselves famously acquired quarterback Brock Osweiler from the Texans in 2017, taking on his $16 million contract just to receive a second-round draft pick. This time, the financial stakes are exponentially higher. Any team taking on Watson would be absorbing a massive contract for a player who may not even play in 2025 due to a re-torn Achilles.
| Player | Original Contract | Guaranteed Money Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Deshaun Watson | 5 Years, $230 Million | $92 Million |
Which NFL Teams Could Even Consider this Blockbuster Trade?
Very few teams have the cap space and the motivation to execute such a move. The ideal trade partner would be a contender that sees Myles Garrett as the final piece needed for a Super Bowl run and has the financial room to absorb Watson’s contract, likely with the intention of releasing him immediately.
This narrows the field to a handful of potential suitors. These teams would have to view the Watson contract as the price of acquiring an elite, game-changing pass rusher.
- Washington Commanders: With a large amount of projected cap space in 2025, they could make the finances work.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Building around a young core and a new coach, they might be bold enough to add Garrett’s veteran presence.
- Minnesota Vikings: With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy on a cheap contract, they have the flexibility to take a big financial swing.
- Detroit Lions: A team clearly in “win-now” mode that could see Garrett as the missing link for their defense.
The biggest challenge for any of these teams would be convincing their fan base that taking on Watson is purely a business decision to land an All-Pro talent like Garrett.
The Watson Factor and His No-Trade Clause
A significant hurdle in any potential deal is that Deshaun Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract. This means he must approve any trade destination, giving him complete control over the process.
However, it might be in his best interest to agree to a move. A trade would allow him to collect the remainder of his guaranteed money while getting a fresh start. If a new team acquires him and then releases him, he would be free to sign with any team he chooses in 2026. From his perspective, there is little reason to block a deal that still guarantees his full salary and offers a quicker path to free agency.
Cleveland’s Moment of Truth
If the Browns move forward with this trade, it would be a public admission that the Deshaun Watson experiment was a complete failure. The organization traded three first-round picks to get him from Houston and then gave him the largest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history. In return, they have gotten just 12 games and a mountain of financial trouble.
While the front office may not want to admit such a colossal mistake, Garrett’s trade demand may force their hand. Instead of just losing an elite player, they have a chance to use his departure to reset their salary cap and finally move on from the disastrous Watson era. It’s a painful choice, but it might be the smartest one they can make.
