The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Deshaun Watson to one of the most unusual contracts in NFL history prior of the 2022 season, and the Houston Texans signal caller has only appeared in 12 games since.
Watson appeared in only six games last season, missing time with two separate shoulder issues. He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on November 21 and has been recovering ever since.
Watson plans to be on the field for training camp and the most of the Browns’ offseason exercises.
“Probably another four to five weeks on the front end,” Watson stated at the end of January. “And at least another three weeks after that.” We often start tossing in the three-to-four month timeframe, which is about April. Hopefully, if everything goes well, I’ll be able to complete spring. We’ll see when we get closer to it.”
Deshaun Watson has passed for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions for the Cleveland Browns.
Andrew Berry, Browns general manager, was recently questioned about his thoughts on Watson moving forward.
“We have good feelings about Deshaun,” Berry stated. “I think the most important thing is that he stays on the field. Every year, we aim to conduct as much self-assessment as possible in all areas of the organization. So, in good and poor years, (we) will most likely tweak with what we believe is best. We’re really excited about Deshaun. We just want to make sure he is healthy.”
Cleveland have a difficult task in finding cap space to add players to the roster due to the $230 million fully guaranteed deal.
Cleveland Browns Expected To Make Significant Move Regarding Deshaun Watson
Watson recently mentioned his desire for the team to acquire another explosive wide receiver to complement Amari Cooper and add to his arsenal of weapons.
He made a public appeal to Tee Higgins, the pending Cincinnati Bengals receiver. On the most recent episode of his “QB Unplugged” broadcast with Quincy Avery, Watson emphasized his desire for Higgins, as well as any other high-caliber wide receiver.
“Of course I want Tee. S**t, I want all the top receivers if I can,” Watson stated on the show, which began airing on February 2. “At the end of the day, I’m simply throwing out a small nugget. Who knows what will happen. I have no control over it or who we bring in through free agency.
Shortly after making that statement, Deshaun Watson voiced trust in Berry’s long-term plans for the Cleveland Browns.
“All of this is planned. “If you really listen to Andrew Berry, he’s telling you the game plan, the blueprint,” Watson explained. “We’re straight, we know exactly what we’re doing for the next five years.”
One of the key moves the Browns can make this summer is to restructure Watson’s deal. In each of the next three seasons, he will be subject to a $63.9 million cap hit. Cleveland could free up almost $33 million in cap space by restructuring Watson’s contract.
It’s on the table, but Berry isn’t ready to discuss it just yet.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not there yet,” Berry told Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “It’s not a necessity (to lower that), but it just kind of depends on how we put the plan together.”
If the Cleveland Browns want to acquire top-tier talent to help Deshaun Watson on offense or to bolster a good defensive unit that could use another playmaker, Berry will need to figure out how to restructure Watson’s contract to clear up salary room.
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