CLEVELAND, Ohio — Deshaun Watson is open to restructuring his contract over the next week to help the Browns get under the salary cap, and to clear some space to add quality veterans via free agency or trades, a league source says.
It comes days after Browns GM Andrew Berry noted at the NFL Scouting Combine that a restructuring for Watson “could be on the table” but that they have other options as well.
The Browns are currently more than $13.415 million over the cap, and must get under it by March 15. The easiest transaction would be to significantly lower Watson’s $54.993 cap charge for 2023 — same as the next three years — and give him more bonus money up front. His entire $230 million five-year contract is fully guaranteed anyway, so it’s just a matter of when he’s getting the money, not if.
Watson is as committed to winning a Super Bowl as anyone, and won’t hesitate to re-do the deal to help the Browns participate fully in free agency and the trade market, I’m told. Browns GM Andrew Berry has already acknowledged he’s releasing safety John Johnson III, which will save the Browns $9.75 million of his $13.5 million cap charge if he’s a June 1 designation. He can look to lower the cap charges of other big-money players such as Myles Garrett ($29.176 million) and Amari Cooper ($23.776 million).
Others in the double-digit millions club are guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, running back Nick Chubb, and cornerback Denzel Ward.
Last season, Watson’s cap charge was only $9.395 million, and his base was only $402,5000, which enabled the Browns to add other key players. If all goes as expected, his lower cap number in 2023 will provide the same opportunities to upgrade his supporting cast on both sides of the ball.
The Browns’ top needs heading into free agency are a safety to replace Johnson, a speedy receiver, a defensive tackle, and an end to replace Jadeveon Clowney. A re-do for Watson would go a long way towards accomplishing those goals.
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Jessie Bates III would love to play with Watson if he hits the market
Bengals safety Jessie Bates III, a 2020 second-team All-Pro, would love to play with Watson if he hits the market, a league source says.
The problem is, Bates’ market value is about $14 million a year according to Spotrac, and the price could climb if teams getting into a bidding war for the premier available safety.
A replacement for John Johnson III, who will be released, Bates would be the impact safety the Browns need in the back end. A ballhawk, he had four interceptions in 2022.
Bates, who played on the franchise tag last season, told Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson after the season that he wanted to be back with the Bengals, but must take advantage of this opportunity.
“Unfortunately, this business, there’s different scenarios where I’m not in a situation where I can leave $10 million on the table and be OK with that,” Bates said. “It wouldn’t be fair to myself, my family, my legacy. Obviously yes I want to be here. My family is three hours away from here. I’ve created bonds in this locker room. I want to be here.”
Bates is one of a number of big-name free agents on the Browns’ radar, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they pursue him when the negotiating period opens March 13.
Browns didn’t try to restructure John Johnson III
Johnson, who had a $1 million roster bonus due March 17th and a $13.5 million cap charge for 2023, wasn’t offered a contract re-do to remain with the Browns, a league source told cleveland.com. Browns GM Andrew Berry confirmed at the NFL Scouting Combine they’re releasing him soon.
Furthermore, a trade market hasn’t materialized for a player coming off an average season compared to his stellar campaigns with the Rams.
Johnson, 27, hopes to land in a spot where he can showcase his versatility, playing up closer to the line at times as well as deep, and everywhere else in the secondary. A fan favorite in his short time here, he leaves Cleveland on good terms.
“I appreciate the Cleveland Browns for the opportunity,” Johnson told cleveland.com. “The city is truly one of a kind. I wish that I could’ve done more while here; however, I know that my best ball is ahead of me. I pray great things for my former teammates.”
Johnson expects to receive interest from multiple teams, and the Browns will look to replace him with either Bates or another high-caliber safety.
Kareem Hunt, Ronnie Harrison Jr. and other Browns free agents who won’t be back
The Browns have a number of impending free agents who will be allowed to walk in free agency with little or no effort to re-sign them. They include running back Kareem Hunt, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr., defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Greedy Williams.
Hunt asked to be traded during training camp, and will try to find a new home, preferably one where he can be the featured back. Clowney sealed his fate when he was kept him from the season finale in Pittsburgh for venting about his usage in 2022 and revealing that he refused to play on anything but third down in the loss in Baltimore. Harrison and Williams will find new homes.
Linebackers Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki among Browns free agents who could return
The Browns have a handful of free agents who have a good chance of being back, including some coming off season-ending injuries. Two linebackers the Browns will try to re-sign are Anthony Walker Jr., coming off a torn quad, and Sione Takitaki, coming off of a torn ACL.
If both come back, the Browns will be in good shape at linebacker, including the return of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from a midfoot sprain and Jacob Phillips from a torn pectoral muscle.
Center Ethan Pocic will likely test the market; Browns feel good about Nick Harris
Pocic, the No. 9 center in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, played so well in 2023 he might’ve priced himself off the Browns’ roster. Pocic’s market value is about $7.2 million a year according to Spotrac. The Browns have or will talk numbers with Pocic’s agent, and then he’ll likely test the free agent waters beginning March 13. But the Browns feel good about 2020 fifth-round pick Nick Harris, who’s coming off a season-ending injury suffered in the preseason opener.
Harris is on track to start the season, and the Browns still believe in him as a starter.
Running back D’Ernest Johnson has a decent chance to be back
Johnson closed out the 2023 season frustrated that he got so few opportunities to touch the ball. He ran it four times for 17 yards, caught three passes for 7 yards, and returned one kickoff for 27 yards. But the Browns, who paid Johnson $1.2165 million in ‘22, are open to re-signing him. With Hunt gone, there will be more opportunities for Johnson and 2022 fifth-round pick Jerome Ford.