Browns Restructured Deshaun Watson's Contract Before Achilles Injury
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles this week.
Watson originally ruptured his Achilles back in October and was almost three full months into his recovery when he ruptured it again this week. He had to have another surgery on his Achilles and how faces a longer recovery time.
There's a chance that he could miss the entire 2025 season so the Browns will have to factor that into their quarterback plans for next season.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 06: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on as they play the Washington Commanders in the first half at FedExField on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Before rupturing his Achilles again, the Browns restructured Watson's contract and it includes two added void years to the deal. It allows the Browns to push out Watson's dead salary cap until 2030 even though he has two years left on the guaranteed five-year $230 million the Browns gave him in 2022.
His contract now had four void years even though he's expected to be a free agent in 2027. This gives the Browns more flexibility for other portions of the roster since they're trying to return to the playoffs next season.
The Browns only won three games this season after winning 11 games last year and getting into the playoffs despite a handful of different quarterbacks.
The Watson experiment has failed through three seasons and there's a real chance that he may not play another snap for the Browns. He has only played in 19 games since becoming a Brown, compiling 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The Browns are currently looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing Ken Dorsey at the end of the 2024 season. Dorsey was only with them for one season and was the primary play-caller over head coach Kevin Stefanski.
There's a chance that Stefanski calls the plays in 2025 but in a perfect world, he'd like his OC to do it.
