The Cleveland Browns might have just been handed a $92 million lifeline, but don’t expect them to escape Deshaun Watson’s contract that easily.

After suffering an Achilles tear in Week 7 against the Bengals, Watson was supposed to be deep in rehab. Yet, just 62 days after surgery, a TikTok video surfaced of him dancing with his girlfriend—no walking boot, no brace, no protective gear in sight. Naturally, this set off a firestorm of speculation. Could the Browns use this as a loophole to void the disastrous contract they handed him in 2022?

The short answer? No. Watson is still going to get every cent of that fully guaranteed $230 million deal, whether he ever plays another meaningful down in Cleveland or not. And the Browns, as much as they might want out, are stuck for multiple reasons.

The Players’ Union Will Fight This to the End

If there’s one thing the NFL Players Association does exceptionally well, it’s making sure players get paid. If the Browns even attempted to argue that Watson violated his contract in a way that would justify termination, the NFLPA would be on them in an instant.

Look no further than the Patriots’ attempt to withhold guaranteed money from Aaron Hernandez after his arrest. Despite the most extreme circumstances imaginable, the NFLPA still fought to ensure Hernandez received certain contractual bonuses. If the union was willing to go to battle for that, imagine how aggressive they’d be in defending Watson.

The Browns can investigate the video all they want, but unless they can prove medical fraud or outright negligence in his recovery, their case to void the contract is paper-thin.

Bad Precedent for Future Players

Even if the Browns had a legal avenue to void Watson’s deal, doing so could create a nightmare for the franchise moving forward. NFL free agents, already wary of Cleveland’s instability, would have another reason to hesitate before signing.

If the Browns tried to get out of Watson’s contract, what’s stopping them from doing the same to another player down the line? This is a team that desperately needs to attract talent, particularly at quarterback. Making themselves look untrustworthy when it comes to honoring deals would only hurt them long-term.

For better or worse, teams that make bad contracts have to own them. The Broncos didn’t get a lifeline on Russell Wilson’s contract, and the Browns, as much as they might dream of a way out, are going to have to live with this mistake.

Time to Pay the Piper

This was always the risk when Cleveland made arguably the worst trade in NFL history—sending multiple first-round picks to Houston and giving Watson a fully guaranteed deal despite his off-field baggage and questionable durability. Now, they’re reaping what they sowed.

The best course of action? Accept the reality. Pay Watson, find a way to move on, and start planning for the future. That means drafting well, developing a young quarterback, and eventually cutting ties with one of the biggest mistakes in modern NFL history.

Watson’s contract will go down as a cautionary tale, but the Browns have no choice but to take their medicine. The viral video changes nothing.