The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson have restructured his fully guaranteed $230 million contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While the changes do not alter the total amount Watson will receive over the final years of the deal, they significantly impact the team’s salary cap commitments in the coming seasons.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Watson’s annual income remains unaffected, with the quarterback set to earn $46 million per year over the next two seasons. The restructuring shifts some of the cap hit into new voidable years, adding to the two void years already included after the contract’s end in 2027. The revised deal now features four void years in total.
This move signals Cleveland’s continued commitment to Watson as their franchise quarterback, despite the challenges surrounding the contract so far. The team appears to be preparing for Watson to remain their starter through at least the 2026 season, when his contract expires.
When Watson first entered the league, this commitment might have seemed like a wise investment. After a stellar rookie season cut short by injury, Watson delivered three consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns with the Texans, even leading the league in passing yards during his final year with the team. However, his relationship with the Texans soured, resulting in a trade request. Around the same time, Watson faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to significant controversy. He sat out the entire 2021 season before being traded to the Browns, who signed him to the largest fully guaranteed contract in NFL history. The allegations eventually led to an 11-game suspension in his first year with Cleveland.
Since then, Watson has struggled to stay on the field, missing 21 games due to injuries over two seasons. When healthy, his performance has been inconsistent. After going 5-1 in six starts in 2023, he managed just a 1-6 record in seven starts this season. To date, the Browns’ significant investment in Watson has resulted in 19 starts and a 9-10 record. However, the team has benefited from insurance on his contract, which provides some salary cap relief for the time he has missed.
The restructuring also makes it more manageable for the Browns to part ways with Watson if necessary. Under the previous deal, releasing him after June 1 in 2025 would have incurred a $119 million dead cap hit, dropping to $73 million in 2026. These figures should be reduced under the new terms.
While the revised deal keeps Watson in place as the likely starter for 2025, the Browns are reportedly exploring other options at quarterback. They may bring in a veteran like Jameis Winston or rely on younger talent like Dorian Thompson-Robinson, though drafting a quarterback remains a possibility. For now, the updated contract allows Cleveland to retain Watson while keeping future flexibility.
