The Cleveland Browns have a unique advantage when it comes to quarterback Deshaun Watson’s contract. According to a source with knowledge of the deal, the team has the right to convert “any portion” of Watson’s salary and bonuses into a signing bonus, in any year of the contract.
This means that the Browns can restructure Watson’s contract to create up to $33.69 million in cap space for the 2023 season. With a minimum salary for Watson at $1.08 million, $44.92 million can be converted to a signing bonus and prorated, pushing the remaining amount to future years and dropping Watson’s cap number to $21.3 million.
While Watson may prefer to receive the money in his current salary and bonus structure, the Browns have a right to restructure the contract as they see fit. Even though every dollar of the contract is fully guaranteed, it’s always better to have the money than to not have the money.
For the Browns, this could be a great way to free up cap space to use in other areas of the roster. By restructuring Watson’s contract, the team can make moves to fill other positions, while still keeping the star quarterback on the team.
It’s important to note, however, that any money converted to a signing bonus is not subject to forfeiture in the usual sense. Per the terms of the deal, any potential forfeiture of the money converted to signing bonus ends when the next regular season concludes.
In the end, the Browns have the right to restructure Watson’s contract, and Watson has no choice in the matter. While he may want to keep the money in its current form, the team can restructure as they see fit, freeing up cap space that can be used to improve other areas of the roster.
