Deshaun Watson is set to be back with the Cleveland Browns, who have made a big contract move with the former Clemson star quarterback.
On Friday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Browns have restructured Watson’s contract. The new deal indicates that he will be in Cleveland next season, and gives cap flexibility once his contract expires.
Sources: The #Browns and QB Deshaun Watson have agreed to terms on a contract restructure, easing the salary cap burden for years to come.
The reworked deal also signals that Watson is expected to be on the #Browns next season. This is about the cap after his deal is up. pic.twitter.com/9Mog27khcK
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2024
As Rapoport noted, the contract adjustment doesn’t impact Watson’s contract for 2025, though it shores up Cleveland’s plans for him.
“Watson, who is recovering from a torn Achilles and will have missed 21 games due to injury over the last two seasons, is still due $92 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, and that has not changed,” Rapoport wrote. “The new parameters of the deal would make his contract easier to manage following the 2026 season, when his deal expires.”
In March 2022, Watson signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns after being traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans.
Watson suffered the season-ending Achilles injury earlier this year in the second quarter of the Browns’ 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20 in Week 7. It was the latest setback for Watson, who has faced plenty of adversity in recent seasons, on and off the field. He played in just six games in his first season with Cleveland after having to serve a suspension and he was limited to just six games in 2023 due to injury.
Watson, who was placed on IR on Oct. 22, completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions in seven games this season. He also ran for 148 yards and another score on the ground.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson has a 66.2 completion percentage for his career with 17,904 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns with 48 interceptions in 73 career games with the Browns and Texans after being selected by Houston in the first round (12th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.