The Cleveland Browns may keep kicking Deshaun Watson's cap hit until it become's someone else's problem

The Cleveland Browns are not overly fond of paying Deshaun Watson. Each and every season, we hear that Browns' GM Andrew Berry has restructured Watson's contract yet again, giving the Browns more cap room in that given year to improve the team. The Browns have had four losing seasons in five years, three of which have come in the Watson Era. It's been hard for the Browns to sign major names and keep their best players year in and year out due to the contract they have with the embattled and disgraced former Pro Bowler. 

The Browns are stuck with Watson, and Berry is doing everything he can to milk the rules to get more immediate cap space now at the cost of the future. 

The Browns have once again restructured Watson's contract, reducing his cap hit in 2026 down to "just" $44.95 million, down roughly $37 million from the original $80.7 it was going to be. That seems like good news. And for fans of the Cleveland Browns in 2026, it is. Yet, for fans of the Browns in 2027 and beyond, it really isn't. See, fans seem to forget that when you restructure contracts, all you're doing is moving around when money is owed, not if money is owed. 

The Browns and Berry shaved off money this season, yes, but in doing so, they added to how much Watson is owed over the next few years. Right now, Watson has cap hits of $36 million in 2027 and $56 million in 2028. Nearly $90 million against the cap over the next two seasons. Seasons where he won't even be on the team.

More: 'Real players coach': Browns Quinshon Judkins jabs at Kevin Stefanski; excited for new HC Todd Monken

It's a move that doesn't make a lot of sense. After all, the Browns aren't really looking like a playoff team in 2026. It seems shortsighted to pass the bill further on down the line when 2026 looks very much like a rebuilding year. The team lacks a real starting quarterback, no offensive line to speak of, wide receivers who have failed to deliver, and so many other minor issues. So why bother investing in major free agents? Just pay the owed money now and get it over with. 

It seems almost irresponsible for Berry to continue to kick the can down the road, knowing full well the piper will have to be paid eventually. 

Which may be the point. Berry may know he's on a hot seat after four losing seasons in five years. After all, he already had to fire Kevin Stefanski, the only coach since the early 1990s to take the team to the playoffs. A goal he did twice. So if Stefanski isn't safe, then Berry isn't either. After all, Berry's moves have not turned the Browns into a club that wins consistently. 

Berry may know his time is running out. Another bad year and the club may be looking for a new GM. If that's the case, Berry may not hesitate to do all he can to salvage today while burdening tomorrow. If Berry can make some big moves to help win in 2026, then he will. Regardless of what happens in 2027 and 2028. 

If he's here, he'll just have to restructure other contracts to further kick the can down the line. If he's not, then it's someone else's problem. Either way, the Browns are likely going to have to tighten their belt straps for some more lean years not-so-far-down-the-line.

By now, we all have found out that Watson's contract is the gift that just keeps on giving. 

More Browns News:

• Browns out on top WR veterans after DJ Moore trade. Here's the plan for Cleveland in 2026
• Browns 2026 mock draft roundup: New 1st-round risers after Combine shake-up
• Mel Kiper Jr.: Ignore 'haters', Shedeur Sanders is Browns QB of the future
• Browns QB rumors: Why Cleveland must avoid Kyler Murray and trust Shedeur Sanders
• Is Carnell Tate still WR1? Ranking Browns best receiver Draft options post Combine