Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Cleveland Browns restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed six-year, $230 million contract to give themselves more salary cap space for the upcoming season.
A league source told ESPN that by converting $44.79 million of Watson’s $46 million base salary into a signing bonus, the Browns now have more than $62 million in cap space – the most in the NFL. The Browns are expected to roll over the majority of the cap space to have financial flexibility in the 2025 offseason, when they are already projected to be $44 million over the cap.
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in 2022, and have restructured that deal each of the last three years. Watson completed 61.4% of his throws for 1,115 yards, seven scores and four interceptions last season, but was limited to just six starts because of a shoulder injury. He also made just six starts in 2022 after being suspended for the first 11 games of the season. Watson is under contract for the next three seasons. His contract includes salary cap hits of $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026.
The Browns will host the Dallas Cowboys in their regular-season opener on Sept. 8 in Cleveland.
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