Daniel OyefusiMar 31, 2025, 02:05 PM ET
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- Daniel Oyefusi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN. Previous to ESPN, he lined the Miami Dolphins for the Miami Bring in, in addition to the Baltimore Ravens for The Baltimore Solar.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cleveland Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam on Monday referred to as the group’s industry for quarterback Deshaun Watson a “large swing-and-miss.”
In March 2022, Cleveland received Watson from the Houston Texans in a industry package deal that incorporated 3 first-round choices. The Browns then signed Watson to a $230 million contract that was once totally assured.
Since becoming a member of the Browns, Watson has began simply 19 video games as a result of suspension and accidents, posted one of the most lowest General QBRs within the NFL and suffered consecutive season-ending accidents in 2023 and 2024.
“We took a large swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam stated Monday on the league’s annual assembly. “We concept we had the quarterback; we did not. And we gave up a large number of draft choices to get him, so now we have were given to dig ourselves out of that hollow.
“… [The trade] was once a complete group determination and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hang us responsible.”
Deshaun Watson, who’s $46 million in every of the following two seasons, has began simply 19 video games for the Browns since being received in a industry ahead of the 2022 season. He’s anticipated to pass over a large portion of the 2025 season. AP Photograph/Sue Ogrocki
Watson, a three-time Professional Bowl variety with the Texans, tore his proper Achilles tendon in October and underwent a 2nd operation in January after retearing his Achilles. The Browns stated Watson is anticipated to pass over a good portion of the 2025 season.
His prison troubles have helped to derail his occupation in Cleveland. Watson served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after greater than two dozen ladies accused him of sexual attack and beside the point habits all the way through therapeutic massage periods. A couple of Texas grand juries declined to pursue legal fees in opposition to Watson, however he served his suspension after the NFL and the NFL Gamers Affiliation reached a agreement on his self-discipline.
Cleveland nonetheless owes Watson $46 million in every of the following two seasons.
The Browns’ quarterback room these days is composed of Watson and Kenny Pickett, whom the group traded for in mid-March. Browns trainer Kevin Stefanski stated Pickett gets a chance to compete to start out in 2025.
In spite of the admission that the Watson industry was once unsuccessful, Haslam stated the group isn’t tied to taking a quarterback with the second one total pick out within the 2025 NFL draft.
“It might be nice if lets get ‘the quarterback,’ however we aren’t going to drive it,” Haslam stated. “We are going to be affected person and we are going to check out to amass as many in reality excellent soccer avid gamers as we will be able to.”
