On its surface, the restructuring of Deshaun Watson’s contract once again doesn’t change much other than it appears to create a more specific pathway out of this mess. The Browns have eased some of the burden down the road when arguably the worst contract in NFL history is off their books and they will find ways to free up more money so they can go into another offseason

The Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson have agreed to a restructured contract, a team source said Friday, an indication that the quarterback is set to return in 2025 after a failed 2024 season.

Watson will still be owed $92 million over the final two years of the contract, which he signed when he was traded to the Browns from the Houston Texans in March 2022. The past restructures added a void year in 2027 — with nearly $28 million in dead-cap hit — and another one that did not have any dead-cap money previously in 2028.