Sources: Browns rework Watson contract to lower NFL-high cap hit

cleveland browns Once again the quarterback’s contract is being restructured. deshaun watsonLeague sources confirmed this to ESPN on Friday, a move that frees up close to $36 million in cap space and brings the team cap into compliance ahead of the new league year.

Watson, who did not play in 2025 as he rehabbed an Achilles tear from the 2024 season, was scheduled to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL.

Watson, 30, is fully guaranteed a $46 million salary in 2026; He originally signed a five-year deal worth $230 million, fully guaranteed if he was traded to Cleveland before the 2022 season. Suspensions and injuries have limited Watson to just 19 games since coming to Cleveland. Since his debut, Watson has posted a total QBR of 33.1, which would be the lowest among qualified passers.

He is expected to compete for the Browns’ starting quarterback job shadure sanders, dillon gabriel And any other additions this offseason.

“Anytime you have a player who has demonstrated his skills at an elite level over a period of time,” Browns first-year coach Todd Monken said of Watson, “I think you’ve always got to give him the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get him to do that again, and I think you should look at every player that way.”

The Browns are also expected to restructure the cornerback’s contract denzel wardAccording to a source, Cleveland is preparing to make several free agent signings this offseason to improve their offense.

Cleveland.com first reported on Watson’s contract restructuring.