The Cleveland Browns have always publicly backed quarterback Deshaun Watson – until now. Owner Jimmy Haslam has now called the trade a “big mistake”.

It’s one of the worst NFL trades since the turn of the millennium: Deshaun Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns in 2023 for three first-round picks. There he received a fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million.

Since then, he has only played 19 of a possible 54 games due to injuries and suspensions. He is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and will miss at least most of the 2025 season.

Now, for the first time, owner Jimmy Haslam has spoken out clearly about the Watson trade. “It was a big failure. We thought we had our quarterback, but we didn’t,” said Haslam on the sidelines of the owners’ meeting in Florida. “Now we’ve dug ourselves into a hole.”

Will the Cleveland Browns take a quarterback in the draft?

Of the 230 million dollars, the franchise still owes the playmaker over the next two years. Then the contract expires. Kenny Pickett has already been signed by the Cleveland Browns from the Philadelphia Eagles for the coming season.

But will he be the only one? In some mock drafts, the Browns take a rookie quarterback at No. 2. “If we think we have the quarterback, then we’ll take him. But we’re not going to force anything either,” Haslam continues.

Who will be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback in September is still completely open.