Cleveland Browns took a big leap of faith as they traded for Deshaun Watson and signed him for a five-year deal that was allegedly worth up to $ 230 million, all of which were guaranteed.
Watson’s performance in the field has been one to forget. He has gone from a three-time pro bowler, which was a strength to be counted on the field to an often injured quarterback that has rarely seen the field.
It is all without luggage on more than two dozen accusations of sexual disparity that came with him from Houston to Cleveland.
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Cleveland Brown’s Quarterback Deshaun Watson, No. 4, is a portrait with General Manager Andrew Berry, Left, and coach Kevin Stefanski during Watson’s initial news conference on March 26, 2022 at Brown’s Training Facility in Berea. (Jeff Lange / USA Today Network / USA Today Network via Imag images)
On Monday, Brown’s co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted that the Watson trade was a mistake.
“We took a big turn and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had quarterback, we didn’t, and we gave up a lot of draft elections to get him. So we have to dig out of that hole,” he told journalists from the annual league meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. “Listen, I’ve said this, I think several times, Deshaun Watson was a whole organizational decision, and it ends up with (co -owner) Dee (Haslam) and I, so keep us in charge.”
Watson was suspended to begin his tenure in Cleveland and performed only in six games in 2022. The following season, six games again. Then he played only seven games in 2024 after he suffered a broken Achilles during a home game.
The 29-year-old Quarterback has not yet thrown more than 1,200 yards or touchdown passports. He has nine wins in 19 starts.
Cleveland Brown’s owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam speak during a NFL football training camp practice in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
NFL -defensive Lineman John Cominsky retires at 29 due to injuries
Cleveland played playoffs in 2023 when Joe Flacco took over as the start quarterback for Watson. Before that broke Baker Mayfield Browns’ Playoff drought.
Browns has reworked Watson’s contract twice since December with invalid years, added through 2030 to give them some financial flexibility to spread dead money on the contract instead of taking a massive hit in a season.
The organization also has insurance that protects the contract and can get some relief from the NFL if he is out in the season.
The draft also gives Browns an opportunity to choose a quarterback.
Cleveland has # 2 selection in the draft, which may mean you choose either Cam Ward or Shedur Sanders.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson, #4, heads to the sidelines during the first half against Cincinnati Bengals Sunday 20 October 2024 in Cleveland. (Jeff Lange / USA Today Network via iMagn -Pictures)
However, Haslam stopped saying the team needed to take a quarterback so early.
“I think the message is, if the right person is there, we will take him,” Haslam said. “If not, we will find out for a year or two until we get the right person. There are good footballers in this draft and we have to make sure we get the right ones for us.”
