Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has finally opened up about the franchise’s massive gamble on quarterback Deshaun Watson — and he’s not sugarcoating the uncertainty surrounding the move.
Speaking with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Haslam reflected on the fully guaranteed $230 million deal given to Watson and the fallout that’s followed. “We knew there was a chance we’d hit or miss with Deshaun,” Haslam admitted, in what may be the most candid assessment yet from the Browns’ front office.
The Browns made NFL history by handing Watson the largest fully guaranteed contract ever in 2022, despite the quarterback facing significant off-field legal issues and not having played in over a year. Since joining Cleveland, Watson’s on-field performance has been a mixed bag. He’s shown flashes of his Pro Bowl-level talent, but injuries and inconsistent play have kept the Browns from reaching their full potential.
Watson missed 11 games in the 2023 season and is coming off another injury-riddled campaign in 2024. With quarterback stability always being a sore spot in Cleveland, Haslam’s acknowledgment of the risks involved speaks volumes.
Watson is expected to be healthy heading into the 2025 season, and the Browns are still hopeful he can return to form. But with other teams in the AFC loading up and younger quarterbacks emerging, the pressure on Watson to deliver — and justify the historic contract — has never been higher.
Haslam’s comments highlight the brutal honesty sometimes required in NFL front offices. The Browns went all-in on Watson. Now they have to live with the outcome, for better or worse.
