The reported move frees up nearly $36 million in 2025 cap space for the Cleveland Browns ahead of free agency.
CLEVELAND — With NFL free agency set to begin in less than a week, the Cleveland Browns have reportedly freed up cap space for 2025.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Browns have restructured QB Deshaun Watson’s contract. The reported move will free up nearly $36 million in cap space.
While the Browns’ decision to restructure Watson’s contract provides significant cap relief, the quarterback’s playing future remains uncertain. After undergoing a second Achilles surgery in January, Watson’s recovery timeline is unclear, with speculation suggesting he could miss a substantial portion of the 2025 season.
Watson’s five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract has been a focal point for the Browns since his trade from the Texans in March 2022. The Clemson product has played just 19 games in three seasons, missing games in 2022 due to suspension, in 2023 with shoulder injuries and games in 2024 with an Achilles tear.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Browns have paid most of Watson’s fully guaranteed contract, with the team only having to pay a minimum salary this season and $46 million in 2026.
The NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon on Monday, March 10. That date marks the start of negotiations with players and teams. The official start of the new league year is on Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m.