Reports: Browns restructure Deshaun Watson contract

Field Level Media|published: Fri 6th March, 12:38 2026

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders

Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns are restructuring the contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson to open up cap space, according to multiple reports Friday.

This marks the fourth straight offseason the Browns have restructured Watson's contract, which drops his cap hit for the 2026 season from $80.7 million to about $45 million and frees up nearly $36 million in cap space.

Watson's original deal with the Browns, signed after being traded from the Houston Texans ahead of the 2022 season, was a five-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $230 million. He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Watson has played in just 19 games and thrown 19 TD passes for the Browns due to suspensions and injuries. His record is 9-10.

He was suspended 11 games in 2022 for off-field conduct related to sexual misconduct allegations involving more than 20 massage therapists. His 2023 season was cut short by left shoulder surgery and the 2024 season ended abruptly for Watson in Week 7 because of a ruptured Achilles, missing the final 10 games.

The 30-year-old missed all of last season recovering from two Achilles surgeries but is expected to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting QB position. The Browns also have Dillon Gabriel on the roster at the position.

--Field Level Media