Cleveland Browns owner regrets costly Deshaun Watson trade

In recent comments, Jimmy Haslam, co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, publicly expressed regret over the team's decision to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson, admitting it was a significant mistake. The Browns traded for Watson and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth up to $230 million, with expectations that Watson would be a game-changing player for the franchise. However, his tenure has been marred by injuries and underperformance. Watson has played a limited number of games due to injuries, managing only nine wins in 19 starts since joining the Browns. His past is complicated by over two dozen sexual misconduct allegations that led to a suspension before he even took the field for Cleveland. Furthermore, he has not delivered performances that reflect his previous Pro Bowl credentials, raising further concerns regarding the investment the team made in him. As part of the team's forward strategy, Haslam indicated they may explore drafting a new quarterback if the right candidate is available, acknowledging the need for improvement in that position. The Browns' approaching decisions concerning Watson’s contract and the upcoming draft will play a crucial role in determining the organization’s future direction as they seek to build a successful team and move past this challenging experiment.