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Deshaun Watson contract restructure: Implications for Browns

Related Topics: Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson's contract with the Cleveland Browns is very straightforward but also unique. Signed in the spring of 2022 as part of the trade that sent Watson from Houston to Cleveland, the deal pays Watson $230 million over five years -- exactly $46 million each year, fully guaranteed. No fancy roster bonuses or option bonuses. He received a $44.965 million signing bonus and a $1.035 million salary in 2022, and he was scheduled to get $46 million in salary in each of the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons.

As NFL contract structures go, it's about as basic as they come.