Deshaun Watson and the Browns: A New Chapter or the End of an Era?
In a move that has sparked a flurry of reactions across the NFL landscape, the Cleveland Browns and their embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson have agreed to restructure his contract. This development, confirmed by a source to ESPN on Friday, suggests that Watson is likely to remain in Cleveland for the 2025 season, despite a tumultuous tenure marked by on-field struggles and consecutive season-ending injuries.
Watson’s current contract, a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal, was signed when he was traded to Cleveland before the 2022 season. The Browns are on the hook for $46 million in each of the next two seasons, with a cap hit of $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026, both ranking as the second highest in the NFL. According to NFL Network, which first reported the restructure, the new deal does not alter Watson’s 2025 cap hit but allows the Browns to spread the cap hit at the end of the contract. Releasing Watson after the season with a pre-June 1 designation would have resulted in a league-record dead cap hit of $172 million.
Watson, now 29, has been sidelined since late October due to a right Achilles tendon tear. In the seven games he played this season, Watson posted the lowest total QBR among qualifying passers in the NFL. This statistic has fueled speculation about his future with the team, especially considering his limited playtime since joining the Browns. Watson has appeared in just 19 games since the Browns traded three first-round picks for him and awarded him what was then a record amount of guaranteed money. His time in Cleveland has been marred by an 11-game suspension in 2022 following accusations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct by more than two dozen women during massage sessions. In 2023, injuries limited him to six games, and he missed the final eight after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
In recent months, the Browns’ management has been noncommittal about Watson’s status as the starting quarterback when healthy. General manager Andrew Berry said it’s “possible” that Watson could return as the team’s starter. Meanwhile, owner Jimmy Haslam told ESPN earlier this month that he supports Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski but emphasized that it was too early to make any decisions regarding the quarterback position.
Adding another layer to this complex situation, the Browns restructured Watson’s contract before the season, creating $44.79 million in cap space that the team is expected to carry over to become cap compliant in the 2025 offseason. This financial maneuvering indicates that the Browns are preparing for various scenarios, including the possibility of Watson’s continued presence on the roster.
As the Browns sit at a disappointing 3-12 record, they prepare to host the Miami Dolphins in their home finale on Sunday. The team’s struggles this season have been perplexing, and the uncertainty surrounding Watson’s future only adds to the intrigue.
- Watson’s contract: Five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed
- Cap hit: $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026
- Current record: 3-12
- Upcoming game: Home finale against the Miami Dolphins
As the Browns and their fans look to the future, the question remains: Is this contract restructure a sign of renewed faith in Watson, or is it merely a strategic move to manage the team’s financial obligations? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—Deshaun Watson’s journey with the Cleveland Browns is far from over.
Originally Written by: Daniel Oyefusi
