One big question surrounding Deshaun Watson's Achilles tendon injury: How much of his salary is insured with the Browns?

With season-ending serious injuries to high-priced NFL quarterbacks, this has become one of the big questions that awaits in the wake of a disaster: How much of the quarterback's contract was insured??

After determining the nature of the injury, examining the player's physical and mental well-being, and taking a step back and understanding the path forward, the reality of the financial impact becomes clear. And for the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson, the impact of that impact — especially when it comes to the insurance that covers his 2024 salary — could be immense.

According to two sources familiar with Watson's contract, at least some of Watson's remaining salary in 2024 is actually covered by an insurance policy. Exactly how much is insured for a potential season-ending Achilles tendon injury — and how much of that coverage could go toward salary cap relief in 2025 — is not yet publicly known, largely because only the Browns and their chosen insurer have it Know the exact language and payouts of the insurance policy. Not all injuries are covered (although Achilles tendon injuries are considered fairly common) and the amount of coverage varies by team and depends on the premiums they are willing to pay.

“The cap (in 2025) will reflect the payout,” a source told Yahoo Sports. “Or whatever the Browns say — if they say anything at all. I doubt they will make this public. Most teams don’t like to talk about insurance policies.”

The issue of insurance coverage for season-ending injuries came into the spotlight last season when it was reported that the New York Jets had failed to insure any of the $37 million in salary guaranteed to Aaron Rodgers. That misstep proved significant after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon just minutes into the Jets' season opener, causing him to miss 16 games. Had the Jets purchased a policy to cover this injury, a portion of that guaranteed $37 million could have been added to the team's 2024 salary cap. Under the NFL's CBA with the players' union, insurance payments to teams for serious player injuries can count toward the salary cap the following season.

In theory, if the Jets had managed to secure Rodgers' full $37 million for the 2023 season, a significant portion of that money could have counted against the team's 2024 cap. But the Jets ultimately abandoned the policy, which likely would have had a premium in the millions, depending on how much of Rodgers' salary was insured and what injuries were covered.

As of Sunday evening, the Browns still had not revealed the extent of Watson's injury, although video showed what appeared to be a torn Achilles tendon. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed it was an Achilles tendon injury and said there was a fear it would be season-ending.

“I think we'll get the test confirmed, but that's what it looks like,” Stefanski said after the Browns' 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Currently, Watson's base salaries in 2025 and 2026 total $46 million per season. However, due to Cleveland restructuring his contract and adding a voided year (to clear cap space in 2023 and 2024), his cap charges are much higher. If he were traded or released this offseason, the total amount added to the Browns' 2025 cap would be a staggering $172.7 million. That makes Watson virtually indestructible and untradeable unless a team is willing to take on the remaining $92 million in guaranteed salary he is owed in 2025 and 2026.

Currently, the only relief the Browns have in sight is tied to the insurance policy taken out on his 2024 salary – which covers the rest of the games he could miss this season – and part of the year too 2025 – if he is out, start of next season while recovering.