Browns owners regret giving Deshaun Watson an insane $230 million fully guaranteed deal: “We took a big swing and miss”

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam finally expressed regret for the failure of the Deshaun Watson trade as they continue to battle poor results.

Browns owners regret giving Deshaun Watson an insane $230 million fully guaranteed deal: “We took a big swing and miss”

Browns' owner spoke on the Deshaun Watson trade (Image via IMAGO)

Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam fell in love with Deshaun Watson’s spell at the Houston Texans so much that he and Dee Haslam gave away a fortune to their AFC counterpart in 2021. Watson was supposed to be the quarterback to save the Browns from their purgatory until everything went south.

The 29-year-old has found himself embroiled in controversy and injury ever since moving from Texas. In four seasons, Watson only started 19 games in total, posting just an 80 quarterback rating during that time.

The Browns saw a ray of hope near the end of the 2024-25 season, but Watson suffered an Achilles tear in January this year while vacationing. The doctors ruled him out until mid-December. He will more or less miss out on 90% of the regular season unless a miracle happens.  

Meanwhile, Jimmy Haslam, along with general manager Andrew Berry, was in Miami over the weekend to attend the annual NFL owners’ meeting. Reporters didn’t waste much time and asked about the Browns quarterback situation and Deshaun Watson’s time in Cleveland.

We [the Cleveland Browns] took a big swing and miss with Deshaun’s [Watson’s trade]. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. (It) was an entire organization decision, and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.

Jimmy Haslam said via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot

Texans won the Deshaun Watson trade

The Texans were the beneficiary of Watson’s deal. By sending the 3x Pro Bowler to Cleveland, the Texans received the Browns’ first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as their third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024.

Deshaun Watson's trade was a 'big swing and a miss,' says Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam
Deshaun Watson Image via IMAGO)

Unlike the Browns, the Texans were smart about their approach. Watson’s trade meant they no longer had to bear the $41 million per year salary baggage through his four-year, $177.5 million deal in 2020.

On top of it, the Texans used the draft picks to create a strong team.

  • 1 Drafted pass rusher Will Anderson Jr., who won the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year award
  • 2 Drafted promising wide receiver Tank Dell
  • 3 Added Kenyon Green who was later traded for CJ Gardner-Johnson from the Eagles
  • 4 Found a reliable safety in Calen Bullock
  • 5 Kamari Lassiter is among the best cornerbacks in the league and will get a big extension down the line
  • 6 Took ex-Ohio State tight end Cade Stover
  • 7 Dameon Pierce, a speedy running back from Florida
  • 8 Two linebackers Jamal Hill and Christian Harris
  • 9 And former Alabama WR John Metchie

Although not part of the draft circle, the Texans lucked out when they drafted Ohio State graduate CJ Stroud in 2023. The atmosphere in Texas is much different compared to 6 or 7 years ago. Some football fans even view them as the better team in Texas over the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, the Browns were in a downward spiral. Besides giving up so many picks, they agreed to a five-year, $230 million guaranteed deal with Deshaun Watson (the most guaranteed money to a player in NFL history).

FS1’s Nick Wright called Watson’s trade to the Browns the worst transaction in NFL history.

I think at some point, they have to admit that’s the worst trade and worst contract in NFL history. It is a sunk cost, you have to try to pull yourself out.

Nick Wright said on First Things First last year

The Browns are still feeling the effects of that deal. Even after all these years, they haven’t found a suitable replacement. They hold the second overall pick due to finishing 4-13 in 2024. The recent mock drafts suggest they will either take Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Related: Cam Newton vows to tone down on cussing publicly after repeated pleas from well-wishers