(FROM SRN NEWS) – The Cleveland Browns restructured quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract in a move that created $35.83 million in salary cap space, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.
Per the reports, the Browns converted $44.79 million of the former Gainesville High School standout’s $46 million base salary this season into a signing bonus. The move gives the Browns more than $62 million in cap space.
Also on Thursday, Cleveland released quarterback Tyler Huntley, leaving the Browns with Watson, Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the quarterback room ahead of the season opener against the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8.
The Browns adjusted Watson’s NFL-record $230 million fully guaranteed deal prior to the start of free agency in 2023, clearing approximately $36 million in cap space.
Watson, 28, will have cap hits of $72.9 million in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with $172 million and $99 million in dead cap hits, respectively.
Watson has played just 12 games for the Browns over two seasons since they acquired him from the Houston Texans. He served an 11-game suspension to begin the 2022 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, in connection to lawsuits from more than two dozen female massage therapists alleging sexual harassment and assault.
Then, multiple injuries limited Watson to six games in 2023, when he threw for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 61.4 percent of his passes.