Browns restructure Deshaun Watson's contract again as he enters final year of catastrophic deal: report

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As Deshaun Watson enters the final year of his $230 million deal, the Cleveland Browns are doing some housework.

Last year, co-owner Jimmy Haslam all but admitted regret over acquiring Watson and then inking him to his fully-guaranteed deal, calling it a "big swing and a miss."

During that offseason, the Browns actually restructured his contract twice in a three-month span — and they did so again this week.

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Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Chris Unger/Getty Images)

According to Cleveland.com, with Watson originally having a cap hit of over $80 million, the Browns are converting up to $44.745 million of his $46 million base salary into a restructure bonus.

The move will free up $36 million in cap space as the official league year begins next week. The move makes Watson's base salary the veteran minimum of $1.255 million.

The Browns are also expected to make a similar move with cornerback Denzel Ward, whose base salary is just shy of $17 million.

Legal tampering begins on Monday, and free agents can sign deals at 4 pm. ET on Wednesday.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, center, poses for a portrait with general manager Andrew Berry, left, and coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson's introductory news conference on March 26, 2022, at the Browns training facility in Berea. (Jeff Lange/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Watson was traded to the Browns ahead of the 2021 season for three first-round picks, despite a looming