Did the Texans win the Deshaun Watson Trade?: Browns' ownership call trade a 'swing and miss'
Three years later, the Cleveland Browns are looking back at a trade they made with the Houston Texans as a failure, according to their owners.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Browns 33-17. (Photo by Nick C
The backstory:
In March 2022, the Houston Texans completed a trade that sent their then-star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for six draft picks, including three first-round selections.
This trade occurred amid Watson's legal troubles, as he faced numerous lawsuits for sexual misconduct. Despite the significant number of picks and Watson's uncertain legal future, the Browns and their ownership believed the trade was worthwhile.
So much so that they signed him to the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time, a five-year deal worth $230 million.
Now, three years later, the Browns are acknowledging that Deshaun's tenure in Cleveland has been a disappointment.
"We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun"
What they're saying:
Over the weekend, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam spoke to reporters during the NFL owners' meetings in Florida.
BEREA, OHIO - JUNE 13: Managing and principal partners Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam of the Cleveland Browns watch a drill during a mandatory minicamp workout at their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett
He was candid about his feelings regarding Watson's time with Cleveland. "We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun," Haslam told reporters.
In the three seasons Watson has been in Cleveland, he has played in only 19 games, winning less than half of them.
Additionally, he has battled multiple injuries during his tenure, limiting his success as the starting quarterback for the Browns.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 20: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is carted off the field after being injured during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ni
Despite these circumstances, Browns ownership has taken responsibility for the misstep with this trade.
"We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. We’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. … [The trade] was an entire organization decision, and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable," Haslam stated, referring to the decision he and his wife, co-owner Dee, made to finalize the trade.
How the Watson trade improved the Texans
The other side:
On the other hand, the six draft picks the Texans received in return for Watson from the Browns have turned into key players for the Texans, either directly through the draft or via trade.
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These include 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson, wide receiver Tank Dell, and starting defensive backs Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter.
In retrospect, a controversial deal at the time worked out in the Houston Texans' favor.
The Source: This information was collected from statements made by Cleveland Brown ownership.