Player News

• Browns' Deshaun Watson: Agrees to contract restructure

  18D ago • By RotoWire

  Watson (Achilles) has agreed to a contract restructure that frees up $36 million in 2025 cap space for the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN reports. The agreement likely adds another void year to the contract while also converting base salary into a bonus. Watson still figures to get all the money from his disastrous, fully guaranteed contract, although he may eventually play out the end of the deal as a backup or even be released. His 2024 campaign ended in October after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon -- an injury that was surgically repaired shortly thereafter, only for Watson to re-rupture the tendon later on. He had a second surgery Jan. 9, making him unlikely to be ready for Week 1 of 2025 (almost exactly eight months later). Watson has been rehabbing at the team facility but is expected to miss "significant time in the 2025 season," according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Once healthy, Watson may have to settle for a backup role, be it behind a rookie or another veteran quarterback.

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• Browns' Deshaun Watson: Has setback with Achilles injury

  01/10/2025 • By RotoWire

  After rupturing his Achilles again, Watson underwent another surgery Thursday to address the injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN report. As a result of the setback, Watson's 2025 season could now be in jeopardy. Look for further details regarding Watson's estimated recovery timeline to emerge in the coming days and weeks, but the Browns figure to fortify their depth at the quarterback position this offseason, via free agency, trade or through the 2025 NFL Draft in which Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall selection.

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• Browns' Deshaun Watson: Hits snag in recovery

  01/06/2025 • By RotoWire

  Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Monday that Watson has experienced a setback in his rehab from Achilles surgery that will extend the quarterback's recovery timeline, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports. Watson suffered the season-ending injury in an Oct. 20 loss to the Bengals and underwent surgery Oct. 25 to repair his torn right Achilles. According to Berry, the Browns weren't aware of Watson having suffered a setback until he was evaluated again Sunday during his end-of-season physical. As a result of the setback, Berry noted that Watson could require another surgery, though the quarterback presumably will receive multiple medical opinions over the next few weeks before deciding the next steps in his rehab program. Given the nature of Achilles injuries, Watson was already facing an uphill battle to be back to full health for the start of the 2025 campaign, and it's now even more likely that he opens next season on a reserve list. After agreeing to a restructured contract in late December, Watson remains on the Browns' books through the 2026 season, but his underwhelming play over his first three seasons in Cleveland in addition to the Achilles injury muddles his long-term outlook in the organization. The Browns will also be picking second in the 2025 NFL Draft, putting them in prime position to select Watson's successor.

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• Browns' Deshaun Watson: Agrees to restructured contract

  12/28/2024 • By RotoWire

  Watson (Achilles) and the Browns agreed to a restructured contract Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. The restructured contract doesn't alter Watson's pay or salary structure, but it spreads out the financial impact of the deal by adding two void years. The quarterback still is under contract, will be paid the next two seasons and then become a free agent in 2027. The restructure does not necessarily mean Watson will be the team's quarterback in 2025, and the state of his injured ankle is not the only unknown. The Browns are expected to revamp the roster, which could impact Watson's status.

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• Browns' Deshaun Watson: Surgery completed

  10/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Watson underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles' tendon, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports. With his surgery going off without any complications, the 29-year-old quarterback should be back to full health for the start of the 2025 season, provided he steers clear of setbacks during what will be a lengthy rehab process. Though the Achilles surgery could curb Watson's rushing ability moving forward, the bigger question is whether he'll re-emerge as a starter in 2025 for the Browns or another team. He's still on the Browns' books through 2026 on a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, but Watson has hardly resembled the franchise quarterback that Cleveland thought it was getting when they acquired him in March 2022. Through his 19 career starts with Cleveland over three seasons, Watson has led the team to 9-10 record while completing 61.2 percent of his throws for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT to go with 465 rushing yards and three more scores.

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