Cleveland Browns make major decision on Deshaun Watson's $230million contract
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The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's massive contract to create salary-cap space and give them future flexibility. Watson has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons because of an NFL suspension and injuries with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, $230million fully guaranteed contract in 2022.
![[Watson played in only seven games this season before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/27/23/93532533-14231239-image-a-27_1735342546528.jpg)
The restructuring allows the team to spread out the salary-cap hit after the 2026 season. The 29-year-old Watson has two years remaining on his contract with an average of $46m-a-year, and with a salary-cap hit of $72.9m in those seasons. The latest move adds a voidable year for 2028, giving the Browns cap flexibility following 2026, the final year on Watson´s deal.
It's believed the agreement to restructure Watson's contract will not preclude the Browns from adding talent at the quarterback position in 2025. Watson played in only seven games this season before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. He's 9-10 as a starter with Cleveland.
The Cleveland Browns have again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's huge contract. The Browns have been a major disappointment after making it to the playoffs a year ago behind Joe Flacco, who was signed as a free agent after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Watson had surgery in October and is expected to make a full recovery. While the team hasn't disclosed its plans at quarterback, it's assumed Watson will be in the mix to be the starter next season. It's also possible the Browns will draft a quarterback in the first round. The team hasn't had a first-round pick the past three years after trading three to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson, who was once considered one of the league's elite QBs.
