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Browns could be partially to blame for some NFL teams being in a bind after Cleveland signed a player to a fully guaranteed contract

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 8:32 AM ET

The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to making contract decisions that may not be popular across the rest of the league.

Cleveland made waves when it gave quarterback Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed contract—an unprecedented move that was not well received by other NFL owners. Now, the Browns may once again be on the brink of setting a new precedent in contract negotiations.

Following this year’s draft, the Browns signed second-round pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie deal. Schwesinger became just the second non-first-round pick to receive such a contract, following the Houston Texans’ fully guaranteed deal with Jayden Higgins—who was drafted immediately after Schwesinger.

The NFL faces a contract issue at the moment

As we near the end of June, most of this year’s second-round draft picks remain unsigned. That includes Browns running back Quinshon Judkins, who was selected just a few picks after Schwesinger.

Heading into the weekend and less than a month from training camp, only two of the NFL’s 32 second-round draft picks have signed. Deals are stalled over whether or not contracts will be fully guaranteed. The only two 2025 second-round picks now signed are Cleveland’s Carson… pic.twitter.com/qSdstBAMgX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 27, 2025

At some point, the logjam will break and deals will be signed. Rookie contracts are relatively straightforward for first-round picks due to the structure of the fifth-year option and guarantees. But beyond the first round, things become less predictable—contracts are typically not guaranteed, and there’s no additional year of team control.

After the Texans guaranteed Higgins’ contract, the Browns did the same with Schwesinger, Cleveland had little choice. Now, every second-round pick has a strong incentive to push for a fully guaranteed deal, knowing recent precedent is on their side.

If a player performs well and meets or exceeds expectations, they’re often signing extensions before their rookie deal reaches its fourth year. But with these recent developments, we may be on the verge of seeing fully guaranteed contracts become the new norm for second-round picks—depending on how negotiations unfold.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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