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Deshaun Watson was acquired by the Cleveland Browns at a steep price. Too steep, in fact, with Cleveland’s ownership now ready to admit that fact.
On Monday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was ready to admit the move was “a big swing and a miss” on Watson. Haslam shouldered the weight of the move and called on fans to blame himself and Dee Haslam for the move.
“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,” admitted Haslam.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on the team’s trade for Deshaun Watson: “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. … (the trade) was an entire…
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 31, 2025
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While the admission is not surprising considering how clear it is that the move did not work, it is a bit surprising that Cleveland is ready to admit that fact with Watson still (as of this writing) on the roster for the Browns. The financial burden associated with Watson is also steep with the quarterback set to make $46 million the next two years and a dead money hit of $55 million whenever Watson is gone, per Ari Meirov.
The former Clemson star was traded to the Browns ahead of the 2022 season for 6 total picks, including 3 first-round picks, but has been mired by injuries and off-field issues with the organization. Watson’s 2024 season was cut short when he re-tore his Achilles, an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for a large portion of the 2025 season.
Watson has made just 19 total career starts in 3 seasons with the Browns while posting a 9-10 record in those games.
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
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