The Browns again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract creating $35.8 million in salary cap space. Cleveland is now $12.6 million under the cap. Because Cleveland likes to rollover cap space from one year to the next, there will be further restructures and possibly some trades. A possible trade candidate for cap savings would be Greg Newsome ($13.4 million). As for restructures, prime candidates would be Jack Conklin, Ethan Pocic and Wyatt Teller. I would imagine the Browns would like to be around $50 million in cap space by the time the league year begins at 4:00pm EST on March 12, but it’s not necessary, they have the ability to redo contacts as they need the money.

The restructure of Watson’s contract shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. It needed to be done and was expected. The shock comes from certain media members who don’t know how this action effects the future of the Browns and Watson. I’ve said many times; Deshaun Watson will not play another down for the Cleveland Browns. For some reason, everyone thinks the Browns will have Watson on the roster through 2027 and cut him in 2028. That’s wrong. Jason Fitzgerald of https://overthecap.com/ explains it like this:

“The Browns performed their annual restructuring of QB Deshaun Watson’s contract, converting $44.745 million of his salary into a signing bonus. The move reduced Watson’s 2025 cap figure by $35.796 and increased his 2026 and 2027 cap figures by $8.949 million each season. The rest of the prorated money will be included with his 2028 dead money charge after he is removed from the roster.”

“Watson’s 2026 salary cap charge now stands at $81.7 million with a chance to be reduced by any insurance proceeds that come the Browns way due to Watson’s injuries. The Browns will likely restructure his contract one last time next year to bring that number down by a similar amount as this year. If the contract goes untouched the Browns will be left with a $26.855 million cap charge in 2027 when Watson is designated as a post June 1 release. There will be a $26.857 million cap charge in 2028 that will cover the balance of the accelerated prorated money and that will be the end to what has turned out to be the worst trade and contract in NFL history.”

So basically, Watson will not play in 2025 due to injury. In 2026 the Browns will receive a salary cap credit due to injury insurance which is believed to be over $44 million. I’m not sure how they handle his playing status in 2027, but I very sure he won’t play. As noted above, Watson will be designated as a June 1st cut in 2027. This will allow the team to divide the dead cap hit between 2027 and 2028.

In summary, this and other restructures will allow the team to sign free agents at key positions, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and safety. Watson will be restructured one more time in 2026 and will be gone by the start of 2027. Any trade of defensive end Myles Garrett this year will delay this plan by at least one year.