The Cleveland Browns have as soon as once more restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s huge contract to create wage cap area and provides them future flexibility, an individual conversant in the transfer instructed The Associated Press on Friday.
Watson was restricted to only 19 video games over three seasons as a result of an NFL suspension and accidents with the Browns, who signed him to a completely assured five-year, $230 million contract in 2022.
The restructuring will permit the crew to distribute its wage cap hit after the 2026 season, stated the particular person, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the crew doesn’t disclose contract particulars.
The 29-year-old Watson has two years remaining on his contract averaging $46 million per 12 months. The transfer to restructure his deal won’t stop the Browns from including expertise on the quarterback place in 2025, the particular person stated.
Watson performed simply seven video games this season earlier than struggling a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is 9-10 as a starter with Cleveland.
The Browns (3-12) have been a significant disappointment this season after making the playoffs a 12 months in the past behind Joe Flacco, who was signed as a free agent after Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder damage.
Watson underwent surgical procedure in October and is anticipated to make a full restoration. While the crew has not revealed its plans for quarterback, it’s assumed that Watson can be within the combine to be the starter subsequent season.
It’s additionally doable the Browns will draft a quarterback within the first spherical. The crew hasn’t had a first-round choose up to now three years after buying and selling three to the Houston Texans to amass Watson, who was as soon as thought-about one of many league’s elite QBs.
Watson’s disappointing tenure has been a sore level for Cleveland followers, who hoped the crew had lastly solved its interminable QB issues when it signed the three-time Pro Bowler three years in the past.
But it did not work, and the massive funding in Watson and the wage cap penalties of his contract — the biggest absolutely assured deal in league historical past — made it troublesome for the Browns to improve their roster.
Watson confirmed flashes of being a reliable beginning quarterback, however there have been simply as many moments the place he regarded hesitant within the pocket or unable to attach with receivers on the sector.
Watson was suspended for the primary 11 video games of his first season in Cleveland after an unbiased arbitrator dominated he violated the conduct coverage after being accused by greater than two dozen girls of sexual misconduct throughout therapeutic massage remedy periods.
Associated Press reporting.
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