Report: Browns restructure Watson's deal, plan to keep him next season
The Cleveland Browns restructured Deshaun Watson's contract, aiming to ease future salary-cap burden and signaling that the quarterback will be with the team in 2025, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Watson has two seasons left on the five-year, $230-million contract he signed after joining the Browns in a trade from the Houston Texans in 2022. Cleveland still owes him $92 million fully guaranteed over the 2025 and '26 seasons.
The adjusted contract will allow the Browns to spread the dead cap hit over two years instead of taking it all in 2027 if Watson stays with the team through 2026, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Technically, Cleveland is adding a new year to Watson's deal with no new money, notes Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. His contract also already included two void years (2027 and '28).
We've officially hit the point of the Deshaun Watson contract where the #Browns are admitting defeat, admitting that it's immovable, and protecting their salary cap future as much as possible - two years ahead of time.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) December 27, 2024
Unanimous, First-Ballot Contract Hall of Fame entry.
Watson's 2024 season ended after only seven games, as the veteran signal-caller tore his Achilles in October.
Watson - a three-time Pro Bowler - has struggled on the field since joining Cleveland, completing 61.2% of his passes with 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 19 starts. The Browns have posted a 9-10 record with him under center.
He's expected to compete for the starting job in 2025.
Cleveland also rosters quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson is under contract through 2026, but Winston is scheduled to hit free agency after this season.