Cleveland Browns Owner Calls Deshaun Watson Trade a Major Misstep

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Three years after trading three first-round picks to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has acknowledged the move as a mistake.

During the NFL league meetings at The Breakers resort, Haslam candidly addressed the team’s struggles stemming from the Watson trade, marking the first time he has elaborated extensively on the topic. Since Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with Cleveland, he has only made 17 starts, posting a record of 9-10 while throwing for 3,365 yards, with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

With a dismal 1-6 record in the 2024 season, Watson’s performance has been a significant topic of concern. He initially missed 11 games in his first season due to a suspension related to accusations of sexual assault and misconduct by more than 20 massage therapists. In the past two seasons, he has also faced injuries, leaving his availability for the upcoming 2025 season uncertain as he recovers from an Achilles injury.

“Let’s address the elephant in the room,” said Haslam, referring to the team’s 3-14 finish and ongoing quarterback issues. “We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.”

Haslam emphasized the need for accountability, stating that fans should hold the ownership responsible for the team’s performance. “It ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable,” he added.

In response to the quarterback situation, the Browns have taken steps to bolster their roster this offseason. They recently traded for 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett, sending quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, the Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Despite acknowledging the mistakes surrounding Watson’s acquisition, Haslam’s comments did not specifically address why the Browns committed to a fully guaranteed contract without sufficient performance insights from Watson. His statements reflect an understanding that their overall roster and salary-cap situation has suffered as a result of this decision. “This is not a team that’s one piece or one year away,” he acknowledged.

A key remark from Haslam indicated the team would not feel pressured to draft a quarterback at No. 2. “If the right person’s there, we’re going to take him,” said Haslam. “If not, we’ll figure it out for a year or two until we get the right person. We need good football players. There are good football players in this draft, and we’ve got to make sure we get the right ones for us.”