Breaking News | Browns, Deshaun Watson Agree to Massive Contract Restructure
The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson have agreed to terms on a contract restructure, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
More news: Saints Determine Playing Status for Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara vs Raiders
It’s important to note the contract restructure is not a pay cut or a salary conversion. The adjustment to Watson’s contract doesn’t impact his $73 million cap number in 2025.
The reworked deal indicates the Browns plan to have Watson on the roster next season. However, the Browns will bring in another quarterback to compete for the starting job, either a rookie or veteran. The contract restructure focused on easing the salary cap burden for Cleveland in the coming years. The adjustment allows the Browns to spread out the cap hit at the end of Watson’s contract which expires after the 2026 season. And thus, it’s likely Watson will remain in Cleveland for at least two more seasons.
The Browns still owe Watson $92 million in guaranteed money over the course of the next two seasons. The Browns have not publicly shared their plans for Watson. He is recovering from a torn Achilles and has missed 21 games in the last two seasons. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey stepped in the same week Jameis Winston took over for an injured Watson as starter. Since Dorsey started play-calling, the team is averaging more yards, more passing yards and more points per game.
Winston defended Watson after fans cheered when he was hurt earlier in the season, signaling the polarization of the fanbase’s opinions on the starter. “The way I was raised, I was taught to love. No matter the circumstances,” Winston said. “Especially for people who do right by you. I am very upset to the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years. And he put his body and life on the line for this city every single day. “Regardless of your perception. Regardless of what you thought should have happened with him, he committed every single day that I’ve been here to be the best that he can be for this team.
“The way I was raised, I would never pull a man when he’s down. But I will be the person to lift him up.”
The contract adjustments indicate Watson will likely stay with the organization for the next few years.
42 comments
Mr G Bush. I’m still lost for words on how they can fix this team. Usually it’s a peice here and there. Man they so many. I do t see no way out of this. It’s just Sad
i don’t
see dw4 going home with no allegations
Restructuring doesn't guarantee that he'll be back it gives them flexibility to get rid of him
I hope the browns move the team
with their ownership, there is NO path to success
its time we all accept this fact
Malik Willis from Green Bay.
It can’t be Deshaun because he won’t be back in time
If he and Andrew Berry are back next year I'm out. Berry can't keep his job for the worst trade in nfl history.
I legit feel sorry for browns fans.. WOW And this coming from a Bengals fan
I'm officially done with the browns. 30yrs of this crap. I can't do it anymore. I'm done with nfl football. Sorry guys call me what you will. But I can't waste my Sundays on this anymore. Great fans good people but I just can't anymore. Good luck to all of you.
QB ROOM NEXT YEAR
1. KIRK COUSINS
2. CAM WARD
3. DESHAUN WATSON (INACTIVE)
His injury and recovery time realistically puts him available next year, but looking how Cousins and Rogers performed after the same injury, the Browns and Watson would be smarter to wait and give him more time to really heal.
If the Browns don’t take Ashton Jenni, they are dumber than I thought. He is super great.
Anybody that doesn’t take Ashton Gente with the first pic is a fool
Please
I've been saying the entire time that Haslam wants Watson back to fulfill that contract somehow, still hoping he'll be the franchise QB lol. The guaranteed money was a bad move to begin with and now Haslam is stuck with it.
Pay him to sit like Houston did
The fact that they pulled the plug on Winston so quickly means he is not coming back.
This is not good news no good news at all
He will start when ready. Its Berrys job to get a starter in here to start when Deshawn gets hurt or has a few bad games in a row. Justin Fields would be my answer. Draft a qb within the first 3 rds. Then do it again the following yr also . But if its a better draft for qb in 2026. Get one in the first rd to be your future franchise qb.
The Browns are going down a long bad road said good bye Browns
Justin fields in Stefanski’s offense is a perfect mesh. Justin Fields will be cheap. Give him a 2-year deal. Draft the best defensive tackle w/ first pick, then trade back into the first round late and grab a wideout.
Sad. Verry sad.
Watson or some other vet
If they wanna draft a tackle I won’t complain. But needs to be either the left tackle from Texas or the left tackle from LSU.
Yes yes yes ❤4
I think Watson will ball out because the allegations are behind him it was mostly mental that's why he played bad. Yes hes slowed down physically but it was mostly mental
Deshaun is better than DTR come nah yall gotta keep it 100
Tell the crook of an owner to sell the team only way you stop this dumpster fire
Yes yes yes ❤4
Watson
Yes we might get the 3rd pick.
Maybe giants would like myles
Daniel jones
Yall arent listening.
"Da Sean Twatson", gives this team the best chance to win.
-Kevin Stephanski
Why wouldn't he be back next year.
😂😂😂😂😂
"Free Myles"
Lol I know this comment section mad af
Anthonypa where you at buddy 🤣🤣🤣
You know this means your boy Kevin is gone right 😂
browns organization………train wreck. 56 year old clevelander.
he will be the browns bobby bonilla where he collects several mil each year for the next 25 years.
?
Watson but you’re still gonna need somebody to fill in because the injury takes at least 12 months to heal, and he may never be the same
Geesh! We've seen what Watson has, and in our offensive scheme.. He ain't it! However, I continue to hear Stefanski in my ear, saying, "Watson gives us the best chance to win at QB." After looking at Winston and DTR. He was RIGHT! Yikes. Where is Jacoby Brissett?
Rebuild the offensive line to be an elite group. Let Watson play he’s as good as anybody that’s out there or is available other than Justin Fields, but if you rebuild the offensive line draft a running back, you can take a lot of heat off of the quarterback position.