"Watson, who did not play in 2025 as he rehabbed an Achilles tear from the 2024 season, was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL. The 30-year-old Watson is owed a fully guaranteed $46 million salary in 2026; he originally signed a five-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $230 million deal upon being traded to Cleveland before the 2022 season."
"Anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level, I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that's how you should look at every player."
"Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, which would be the lowest among qualified passers."
The Cleveland Browns restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract, generating approximately $36 million in cap space and achieving salary cap compliance ahead of the new league year. Watson, who sat out 2025 recovering from an Achilles tear, carried an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL. The 30-year-old quarterback is guaranteed $46 million in 2026 salary from his original five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal signed upon his 2022 trade to Cleveland. Limited to 19 games due to suspension and injuries, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR since arriving. He will compete for the starting position alongside Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. The Browns also plan to restructure cornerback Denzel Ward's contract while pursuing offensive free agent signings.
#nfl-contract-restructuring #deshaun-watson #cleveland-browns #salary-cap-management #quarterback-competition
Read at ESPN.com
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