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As Deshaun Watson enters the final year of his $230 million contract, the Cleveland Browns are doing some housework.
Last year, co-owner Jimmy Haslam all but admitted to regret acquiring Watson and then signing him to his fully guaranteed deal, calling it a “big swing and miss.”
This offseason, the Browns actually restructured his contract twice in three months — and they did it again this week.
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Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns leaves the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
According to Cleveland.com, while Watson initially had a cap hit of over $80 million, the Browns are converting up to $44.745 million of his $46 million base salary into a restructuring bonus.
The move will free up $36 million in cap space as the league’s official year begins next week. The move brings Watson’s base salary to the veteran minimum of $1.255 million.
The Browns are also expected to make a similar move with cornerback Denzel Ward, whose base salary is just under $17 million.
Legal tampering begins Monday and free agents can sign deals at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, poses for a portrait with general manager Andrew Berry, left, and coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson’s introductory press conference March 26, 2022, at the Browns training facility in Berea. (Jeff Lange/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Watson was traded to the Browns before the 2021 season for three first-round picks, despite a looming suspension for alleged sexual harassment, and he quickly signed one of the most lucrative deals in NFL history. But the suspension and injuries, including two torn Achilles tendons, kept Watson from playing just 19 games in a Browns uniform. He missed all of last season while recovering from an Achilles injury.
And when he’s on the field, he hasn’t lived up to all expectations. In those 19 games, he totaled 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a completion percentage of 61.2.
Cleveland drafted two quarterbacks last year, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who had an unprecedented fall as a potential top-three pick and went in the fifth round. Joe Flacco started Week 1, but after being traded, Gabriel took over. But after Gabriel suffered a concussion, Sanders was the starter for the rest of the season.
Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland, Sunday, September 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Browns quarterbacks ranked 31st in completion percentage (57.89%) and passing yards per game (165.1).
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