Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns have agreed on a contract restructure that will lower Watson’s cap hit in future years, while keeping his fully guaranteed $92 million intact and allowing him to be on the Browns roster in 2025.
The adjustment, which is technically an extension by adding a new year to the existing contract but no new money, is intended to help the Browns field a competitive roster for 2025 and beyond. Watson has $46 million due to him over the next two years to complete the $230 million contract signed in 2022.
The restructure signals Cleveland has no intention of rebuilding, which has been a topic of conversation by some of the top Browns’ players like Myles Garrett and Joel Bitonio.
The deal also provides the Browns with an easier, less financially painful path out of Watson’s contract following the 2025 season should the team wish to part ways with the quarterback, whose status for the beginning of next season is unclear as he recovers from Achilles surgery.
The Browns acquired Watson in March of 2022 by trading three first-round picks to the Texans and then proceeded to sign him to a $230 million fully guaranteed contract. It’s widely considered one of the worst deals in NFL history, if not the worst.
Watson performed like one of the worst starting quarterbacks this season before tearing his Achilles in Week 7’s loss to Cincinnati. His 79.0 passer rating ranks 32nd among qualified quarterbacks ahead of only Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, both of whom are second-year quarterbacks who got benched during this season.
The Browns have gone 3-12 this season with Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterbacks.
