Browns Restructure Deshaun Watson's Contract Again, Pushing Cap Hit Down the Road

Cleveland's GM Andrew Berry continues to rework the embattled QB's deal to create short-term cap space, but it comes at a cost of higher future charges.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Cleveland Browns have once again restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract, reducing his 2026 cap hit from $80.7 million down to $44.95 million. However, this move simply pushes more of Watson's salary into future seasons, with his cap hits rising to $36 million in 2027 and $56 million in 2028 - seasons where he may no longer be on the team. Browns GM Andrew Berry has been repeatedly restructuring Watson's deal in an effort to create immediate cap space, but it's a short-sighted strategy that will burden the team with higher costs down the line.

Why it matters

The Browns' continued restructuring of Watson's contract highlights the team's struggles to build a consistent winner around the embattled quarterback. With four losing seasons in five years since acquiring Watson, the Browns have had difficulty signing top free agents and retaining their own talent due to the massive cap hits from his deal. This latest move provides temporary relief but sets up future cap challenges that may outlast Berry's tenure as GM, potentially leaving the next regime to deal with the fallout.

The details

In the latest restructuring, the Browns reduced Watson's 2026 cap hit by around $37 million, from $80.7 million down to $44.95 million. However, this simply pushes that money into future seasons, with Watson's cap hits rising to $36 million in 2027 and $56 million in 2028 - seasons where he may no longer be on the team. The Browns have continued this strategy of restructuring Watson's deal each year in order to create more immediate cap space, but it comes at the cost of higher future charges that will burden the team long after Watson is gone.

  • The Browns have restructured Deshaun Watson's contract multiple times since acquiring him in 2022.
  • Watson's cap hit is now $44.95 million in 2026, down from the original $80.7 million.
  • His cap hits are set to rise to $36 million in 2027 and $56 million in 2028.

The players

Deshaun Watson

The embattled quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, who has had his contract repeatedly restructured by the team in an effort to create short-term cap space.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns, who has been responsible for the repeated restructuring of Deshaun Watson's contract in order to provide the team with more immediate cap flexibility.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Browns' continued restructuring of Watson's contract will likely be a topic of discussion as the team heads into the 2026 season, with questions about the long-term viability of this strategy and how it will impact the team's ability to build a contender around the quarterback.

The takeaway

The Browns' handling of the Deshaun Watson contract situation highlights the difficult position the team finds itself in, as it tries to balance the short-term need for cap space with the long-term consequences of pushing more of Watson's salary into future years. This approach may provide temporary relief, but it also sets up the potential for even greater financial challenges down the road that could hamper the team's ability to field a competitive roster.