Cleveland Browns make major decision on Deshaun Watson’s $230million contract

The Cleveland Browns have once again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s massive contract to create salary cap space and give them future flexibility.

Watson has been limited to just 19 games in three seasons due to an NFL suspension and injuries with the Browns, who signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million in 2022.

The restructuring will allow the team to spread out the salary cap beyond the 2026 season.

The 29-year-old Watson has two years left on his contract at an average of $46 million per year, with a salary cap hit of $72.9 million in those seasons. The final move adds a voidable year before 2028, making the Browns cap flexible beyond 2026, the final year of Watson’s deal.

It is believed that the agreement to restructure Watson’s contract will not prevent the Browns from adding talent at the quarterback position in 2025.

Watson played just seven games this season before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. He is 9-10 as a starter for Cleveland.

The Browns were a major disappointment after reaching the playoffs a year ago behind Joe Flacco, who was signed as a free agent after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Watson underwent surgery in October and is expected to make a full recovery. While the team has not announced its plans at quarterback, it is believed Watson will be in the mix as the starter next season.

It’s also possible the Browns draft a quarterback in the first round. The team hasn’t made a first-round pick in the last three years after trading three to the Houston Texans to acquire Watson, who was once considered one of the league’s elite QBs.

Watson’s disappointing tenure — he hasn’t thrown for more than 300 yards in any game — has been a sore spot among Cleveland fans, who had hoped the team had finally solved its endless QB problems when they signed the three-time Pro Bowler three years ago.

But it didn’t work out, and the large investment in Watson and the salary cap implications of his contract — the largest fully guaranteed deal in league history — have made it difficult for the Browns to upgrade their roster.

Watson has shown himself to be a competent starting quarterback, but there have been just as many moments where he has been hesitant to look in the pocket or unable to connect with receivers downfield.

Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of his first season in Cleveland after an independent referee ruled he violated the conduct policy after being accused by more than 20 women of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Since undergoing surgery, Watson has been rehabbing his Achilles injury. He hasn’t spoken to reporters in months. On Thursday, he posted a photo of himself on Instagram standing without walking shoes. The caption read: ‘Back on my feet! MORE GLORY!’

Watson played just seven games this season before suffering a torn Achilles tendon

Last week, Browns defensive star Myles Garrett caused a stir by saying he didn’t want to be part of the rebuild in Cleveland. Garrett also made it clear that he wanted to know the team’s offseason plans, including what the Browns planned to do at quarterback.

On Friday, Garrett said he had had “a few” conversations with the team’s front office this week following his surprising comments. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has not revealed any details about the conversations.

“They just wanted to see where my head was at and what I was thinking and just tried to keep things in the house,” said Garrett, who turns 29 on Sunday.

Garrett was asked if he received a positive response from teammates.

“They also want to know what’s going to happen,” he said. “So I haven’t really heard many people say whether they liked my comments or not. Everyone feels the same way. But I’m not assuming and I will have my answer by the end of this year.’