Story perspectives

Browns Name Deshaun Watson Starting QB vs. Jaguars

8/25/2026

Summary

Watson Starts

Cleveland Browns named quarterback Deshaun Watson starter for the Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville.
Head coach Todd Monken said Watson gives the best chance to move the ball and score.
Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract is considered one of the NFL’s worst deals.
In preseason, Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and produced two scoring drives.

Summary

Hurst Debut

Washington Commanders signed veteran defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II to a one-year contract.
In his debut, Hurst recorded five tackles and two sacks against the Detroit Lions.
Jets safety Andre Cisco intercepted Steelers quarterback Will Howard twice, giving New York its first interceptions of the season.
Undrafted rookie linebacker Stephen Dix Jr. logged 36 snaps in his first NFL game for the Miami Dolphins.

History

Historical Context

In 1994, the NFL instituted a hard salary cap, fundamentally reshaping team payrolls and contract negotiations across the league. The league’s collective bargaining agreement limited clubs to $57.4 million in 1994, a figure that rose to $224 million by 2023, per the NFLPA. Today, the Cleveland Browns’ $230 million guaranteed contract for quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Washington Commanders’ one-year deal with Maurice Hurst II illustrate the surge in contracts. These inflated agreements pressure franchises to balance star salaries against depth, prompting roster churn and intensified scrutiny of spending strategies across the league.

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Watson Starts

Cleveland Browns named quarterback Deshaun Watson starter for the Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville.
Head coach Todd Monken said Watson gives the best chance to move the ball and score.
Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract is considered one of the NFL’s worst deals.
In preseason, Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and produced two scoring drives.

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