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By any and all metrics, the contract that the Cleveland Browns gave Deshan Watson in the summer of 2022 is one of the worst in the history of the sport.
While the Browns, as a team, have been successful (relatively) in recent years, it’s been in spite of former Heisman trophy winner Deshaun Watson, who has played in just 12 games over the last two seasons due to suspension and injury.
When they traded for Watson, who was in the midst of raging controversy fueled by over 20 allegations of sexual misconduct, they handed him a five-year, $230 million deal — guaranteeing all $230 million, making it the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time it was signed.
Now, over two years after giving Watson that head-scratching deal, the Browns are finally restructuring it. According to reports, the Browns have converted $44.79M of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, giving the team $35.832M in cap space.
Despite the talent that the Browns boast on both sides of the ball, Las Vegas is currently projecting them to finish third in the AFC North behind Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, and Joe Burrow and the Cleveland Browns.
Watson and the Cleveland Browns will open the 2024/25 season at home with a matchup against Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. That game, however, is perhaps more notable for what will be happening in the booth, as the game will mark the NFL broadcasting debut of legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who signed a 10-year, $350 million deal with Fox Sports to be their lead color commentator.
The Browns will be looking to build off a 2023 season that saw them make the playoffs despite their many injuries at the quarterback position.