NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that the Cleveland Browns have restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract to clear $36M in salary cap space by converting $44.7 million of his 2025 salary into a signing bonus. Watson, who signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns in 2022, would now receive a minimum salary this season and $46 million in 2026. He previously restructured his contract in December.
Pelissero wrote on X: #Browns did a simple restructure on Deshaun Watson’s contract, clearing $35.8 million .. The #Browns have now paid out the vast majority of Deshaun Watson’s five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. All that’s left is a minimum salary this season and a $46 million salary in 2026.”
Restructuring the contract for Watson makes the Browns cap-compliant before the start of the new league year on March 12. They entered the offseason $29.9 million over the $279.2 million cap, and now have $12.9 million in cap room.
Over the past three seasons, Watson has been plague with injuries, throwing for 3,365 yards with 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 61.2 completion percentage in 19 games. He may not be able to play in 2025 after re-rupturing his Achilles in January, two months after suffering the same injury in a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Browns are coming off their worst season (3-14) since the 2017 campaign, tying with the Titans for worst in the AFC in 2024-25.
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