The Deshaun Watson contract remains a frequent subject of ridicule in NFL circles. The Cleveland Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year contract despite his lack of significant accomplishments before joining the team. This decision appeared even more questionable given Watson faced suspension and multiple sexual assault allegations. The trade and contract are now widely considered the most disastrous in NFL history.
Since acquiring Watson, the Browns have made little progress. Their closest taste of playoff success came with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in 2023. Meanwhile, the team has struggled with trade demands from star players, including their All-Pro pass rusher, and lacks the financial flexibility to address roster issues caused by Watson’s injuries and poor performance.
The contract’s origins point to Browns’ general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski, who approved the deal. However, new reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson shifts the blame squarely to team owner Jimmy Haslam.
During an interview on Nashville’s 102.5 FM radio station, Robinson revealed that decisions regarding the quarterback position in Cleveland are “ownership driven.” He emphasized that Haslam was the driving force behind acquiring Watson, despite widespread knowledge within the league that the move was not initiated by Berry or Stefanski. According to Robinson, Haslam took control of the negotiations and ensured the unprecedented financial commitment to secure Watson.
Haslam’s interference explains why the Browns pursued Watson, even when there were indications Watson was not particularly interested in joining the team. This pattern of owner-driven decision-making is also reflected in the Browns’ recent interest in Cam Ward, a promising quarterback prospect. Robinson suggests that Haslam’s attendance at Ward’s workout indicates serious consideration of acquiring him to address the ongoing quarterback dilemma created by the Watson trade.
Ward is a highly-regarded prospect who could excel as Cleveland’s quarterback. However, the Tennessee Titans are the likely destination for Ward due to their favorable draft position. If the Browns were to trade up to draft him, it would demonstrate their belief in Ward’s potential and highlight Haslam’s ongoing efforts to fix the costly mistake of acquiring Watson.
Ultimately, the Watson contract continues to hinder the Browns’ ability to rebuild. Haslam’s direct involvement in quarterback decisions has not only resulted in one of the worst deals in NFL history but also continues to shape the franchise’s future strategy as they attempt to recover from past missteps.
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