GREEN BAY, Wis. — The NFL rumor mill spun out of control Tuesday, linking Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis to a potential starting gig with the Cleveland Browns. But before the ink could dry on the speculation, one plugged-in insider dropped a reality check that hit harder than a linebacker in the A-gap: Deshaun Watson’s bank account.
Tony Grossi, a longtime Browns analyst, didn’t mince words when addressing the chatter. His message was blunt: The Browns are financially paralyzed.
“Anybody who connects Malik Willis to the Browns is ignorant of their Deshaun Watson cap situation. Ain’t happenin,’” Grossi fired off on X (formerly Twitter), effectively dousing the flames of a Willis-to-Cleveland reunion.
The $80 Million Elephant in the Room
Grossi’s dismissal isn’t just opinion; it’s simple math. Heading into the 2026 season, Deshaun Watson carries a suffocating $80,716,514 cap charge. That figure isn’t just a burden; it’s the largest single-season cap hit in NFL history. It eats nearly a quarter of the team’s total salary allowance, leaving General Manager Andrew Berry with zero flexibility to chase a high-profile free agent like Willis.
Willis, who revived his career in Green Bay after a trade from Tennessee in August 2024, is set to hit free agency in March. After spending the last two seasons as Jordan Love’s reliable understudy, the 26-year-old has flashed enough dynamic playmaking ability to demand a starter’s paycheck—something Cleveland simply cannot cut.
South Beach Calling?
With Cleveland effectively handcuffed, the spotlight pivots sharply to the AFC East. Reports indicate the Miami Dolphins are legitimate suitors for Willis. The franchise is in full reset mode after hiring Jeff Hafley as head coach in January.
The Dolphins are expected to officially part ways with Tua Tagovailoa this offseason following a regression in 2025. While Miami has young talent in Quinn Ewers on the roster, the front office is reportedly hunting for a veteran with mobility to run Hafley’s system immediately. Willis fits that mold perfectly.
“We know the business side of this league is brutal. Malik has been a pro’s pro since he walked in this building. Whatever happens in March, some team is getting a guy who works his tail off.” — Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers Head Coach
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This situation creates a fascinating domino effect for the AFC. If Miami secures Willis, they get an athletic quarterback who can stretch the field, potentially unlocking their speed-heavy offense in ways Tagovailoa couldn’t last year. For Cleveland, the reality is grimmer. They are tethered to Watson for at least one more excruciating financial year, forcing them to likely bargain-hunt for backups while the rest of the AFC North arms race accelerates.
Expect Miami to make an aggressive push as soon as the legal tampering period opens. For Willis, the choice might come down to immediate playing time in Miami versus a bridge-starter role elsewhere.
