Browns GM on Deshaun Watson Contract: 'Not a Necessity' to Lower 2024 Salary Cap Hit | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Jessica Hardy
Published Mar 24, 2026
Facing a salary-cap crunch going into next season, Deshaun Watson's contract will be a focus for the Cleveland Browns.
Speaking to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said it's "not a necessity" right now to adjust Watson's deal, but that could change depending how things shake out with the rest of the roster.
"I'll be honest, I'm not there yet," Berry said. "It's not a necessity (to lower that), but it just kind of depends on how we put the plan together."
The Browns are currently projected to be $19.6 million over the cap, but they are able to rollover the $34 million in cap space they freed up prior to the start of the 2023 season by reworking contracts for multiple players.
There are 24 Browns players set to become free agents in March. Za'Darius Smith, Joe Flacco and Shelby Harris are the most notable players set to hit the open market.
Flacco is probably expendable with Watson coming back healthy, but his strong performance after joining the team in November might be enough to convince them to keep him as a backup.
Watson is the only quarterback with a 2024 cap hit of at least $60 million ($63.98 million). Jackson noted the Browns could free up around $33 million in cap space if they decide to re-work Watson's deal.
Since Watson's deal is fully guaranteed, it would be virtually impossible for the Browns to move on from him before it expires after the 2026 season.
Watson has been a disappointment on the field for the Browns. He's only played in 12 games due to his 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy and multiple injuries in 2023, including a fractured shoulder that required season-ending surgery.
In the 12 games Watson has played over the past two seasons, he's thrown for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, nine interceptions and has a 59.8 completion percentage.
The Browns made the playoffs this season with an 11-6 record. They lost to the Houston Texans, 45-14, in the AFC Wild Card round.
