Costly Acquisition:: The Browns traded significant draft capital (three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks) to the Houston Texans for Watson in March 2022.
Record Contract:: Watson was subsequently signed to an unprecedented $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
Limited Availability:: Due to an 11-game suspension in 2022 related to off-field conduct allegations and consecutive season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024 (including a torn Achilles), Watson has started only 19 games for Cleveland.
Ongoing Financial Commitment:: The Browns still owe Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons (2025 and 2026).
Performance Issues:: Watson's on-field performance when available has been below expectations, reflected in low Total QBR scores.
Ownership Accountability:: Haslam explicitly took responsibility, stating the decision involved the entire organization but ultimately rests with him and co-owner Dee Haslam.
Future Uncertainty:: Watson is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season, and the team acquired Kenny Pickett to compete for the starting role. Despite the trade's failure, Haslam indicated the Browns won't force drafting a quarterback with their high pick in 2025.
Why this matters:: This public admission highlights the immense risk and potential fallout of blockbuster trades, especially involving players with off-field issues and massive guaranteed contracts. It significantly impacts the Browns' team-building flexibility (draft capital, salary cap) for years to come.
The Cleveland Browns' pursuit of an elite quarterback led them to make a monumental trade for Deshaun Watson in March 2022. The deal sent three first-round draft picks, a 2023 third-round pick, and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024 to the Houston Texans. Compounding the investment, the Browns awarded Watson a five-year, $230 million contract, fully guaranteed – a landmark deal in NFL history.
However, the return on investment has been minimal. Watson's tenure began under the shadow of allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct from over two dozen women during massage sessions. While grand juries declined criminal charges, the NFL suspended him for the first 11 games of the 2022 season.
Injuries have further plagued his time in Cleveland. After returning in 2022, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. In 2024, a torn Achilles tendon cut his season short in October, requiring a second surgery in January 2025 after a setback. He is now expected to miss a large part of the upcoming 2025 season.
Jimmy Haslam's "big swing-and-miss" comment underscores the stark reality. The Browns gave up premium draft assets and committed massive financial resources to a player who has been largely unavailable and underperformed when healthy. The team now faces the challenge of navigating the next two seasons with Watson's $46 million annual cap hit while trying to remain competitive. They acquired Kenny Pickett via trade to add depth and competition, but the long-term quarterback situation remains uncertain. Haslam's statement about not forcing a QB pick in the 2025 draft suggests a potentially painful, patient rebuild might be necessary to recover from the Watson trade's consequences.
What did Browns owner Jimmy Haslam say about the Deshaun Watson trade?
He admitted it was a "big swing-and-miss," acknowledging the trade failed and taking accountability for the decision.
How much did the Browns give up for Deshaun Watson?
They traded three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks, plus gave Watson a $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
Why has Deshaun Watson played so few games for the Browns?
He served an 11-game NFL suspension in 2022 and suffered consecutive season-ending injuries in 2023 (shoulder) and 2024 (Achilles). He is expected to miss much of the 2025 season as well.
What is Watson's current contract status?
He is still under contract and owed $46 million in guaranteed salary for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The Browns face significant challenges due to the Watson trade's failure, impacting their salary cap and draft resources for rebuilding.
Ownership accountability is crucial, but reversing the damage from such a costly decision is difficult.
The situation highlights the extreme risks involved in trading multiple high-value draft picks and awarding massive guaranteed contracts, especially with players carrying off-field concerns.
Cleveland's path forward at the quarterback position is unclear, with Watson's future uncertain and Kenny Pickett brought in to compete.
How long do you think it will take the Browns to recover from this trade? Let us know your thoughts!
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