Browns Restructure Deshaun Watson's Contract

Move saves over $35 million in cap space, keeps QB on roster for 2026

Mar. 6, 2026 at 3:05pm

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The Cleveland Browns are restructuring the contract of quarterback Deshaun Watson ahead of the new league year, per a league source. The move will save the team more than $35 million in salary cap space and ensure Watson remains on the roster for the 2026 season, the final year of his fully guaranteed $230 million deal with the Browns.

Why it matters

Watson has struggled with injuries since joining the Browns in 2022, missing significant time in 2023, 2024, and all of 2025 due to a twice-torn right Achilles tendon. The contract restructuring gives the Browns more financial flexibility to build around Watson, who they traded three first-round picks to acquire from the Houston Texans.

The details

The Browns will use the post-June 1 designation on the void years added to Watson's contract last March, allowing them to spread the remaining cap dollars across multiple years. This leaves the team with around $90 million in salary-cap commitments to Watson after this season. The Browns currently have Watson, 2025 rookie Shedeur Sanders, and fellow 2025 rookie Dillon Gabriel on the roster at quarterback, with an open competition expected this offseason.

  • In December 2024, the Browns and Watson agreed to a reworked contract that added void years to the end of the deal.
  • Watson was limited to six games in 2022 after serving an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
  • Watson's 2023 and 2024 seasons were cut short by injuries and subsequent surgeries.
  • The Browns opened the 21-day practice window for Watson in December 2025, but he reverted to the physically unable to perform list after three weeks as a limited participant.
  • Watson is expected to be fully cleared for the start of the team's formal offseason program in April 2026.

The players

Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback who signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the team in 2022 after being traded from the Houston Texans.

Jimmy Haslam

The owner of the Cleveland Browns, who in March 2022 called the team's trade for Watson 'a big swing and miss'.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Shedeur Sanders

The Browns' rookie quarterback who started the final seven games of the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.