Browns owner Jimmy Haslam admitted that the team’s trade for Deshaun Watson—costing three first-round picks and a substantial guaranteed contract—was a significant misstep. At a recent league meeting, Haslam took full responsibility for the decision, acknowledging the immense draft capital lost and the poor performance of Watson, who is unlikely to play in 2025 due to injury. The trade has left the franchise in a difficult position, requiring careful management to recover from this setback. Haslam emphasized accountability and expressed the need to support his football staff in moving forward from this challenge.
The decision by the Browns to trade three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks to the Texans for Deshaun Watson, followed by granting him the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history, turned out to be a significant blunder. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledges this fact.
During a press conference at the league meeting today, Haslam admitted that the ultimate accountability lies with him and his wife as the franchise owners.
“We took a significant risk and missed with Deshaun. We thought we had found our quarterback, but we didn’t, and we sacrificed a lot of draft capital to acquire him. Now, we need to find a way to recover from this situation. [The trade] was a decision made by the entire organization, and it ultimately comes down to Dee and me, so please hold us responsible,” Haslam stated, as reported by Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.
Haslam certainly warrants scrutiny for the unfortunate condition of his franchise, and his remarks prompt questions about the future relationship between the Browns and Watson. Although Watson remains on the roster, it seems unlikely he will play in 2025 due to his torn Achilles and his poor performance on the field, highlighting the Browns’ urgent need for improved quarterback performance.
Ultimately, Haslam’s current role is to back his football personnel as they strive to recover from the significant setback they face after this major misstep. The challenge will be considerable, given the draft picks and salary cap space they have devoted to Watson.