On Thursday, the Browns moved underneath the 2025 wage cap once they restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson‘s contract. Now, they have to discover a quarterback with their financial savings.
ESPN NFL insider Discipline Yates reported that Cleveland shaved roughly $36 million off Watson’s 2025 cap quantity with the restructure.
Watson entered Thursday with a $72.7 million 2025 cap quantity, and the Browns have been roughly $23.2 million over the wage cap.
Per Spotrac, with the restructuring, Cleveland transformed $44.745 million of his 2025 base wage ($46 million) into bonus funds stretched out all through his contract.
Due to its monetary dedication to Watson, Cleveland will doubtless be caught with him by way of at the least 2026, even when he has thrown his final regular-season move in a Browns jersey.
In accordance with Spotrac, the restructure elevated his 2026 cap hit to $81.6 million, and the workforce would incur a $135.4 million lifeless cap cost by releasing him subsequent offseason.
Watson was arguably the league’s worst beginning quarterback in 2024. He was 137-of-216 (63.4 %) for 1,148 yards (5.3 yards per try), 5 touchdowns and three interceptions earlier than a ruptured Achilles ended his season in Week 7.
According to NFL Pro, Watson struggled mightily on third downs, solely incomes a primary down on 17.5 % of his dropbacks. His 13.3 percent sack rate was the league’s highest.
Cleveland will not have many stable choices in free company that it will possibly afford. The offseason’s high quarterbacks, together with Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, are doubtless out of the Browns’ worth vary. Justin Fields may be thought of, however the Steelers are reportedly all in favour of bringing him again.
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is accustomed to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their time along with the Vikings and might be an choice if Atlanta releases the 13-year veteran.
Watson’s restructuring would not absolve the Browns from their extremely messy quarterback scenario, however it does give them monetary wiggle room so as to add a quarterback.
It is solely a glimmer, however there is a mild on the finish of the tunnel. Cleveland should profit from it.
