C&P Newswire
CLEVELAND – Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly admitted that the team’s blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson was a costly mistake, marking a significant moment in the franchise’s history as they prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
During the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Haslam addressed reporters, acknowledging that the organization miscalculated when it acquired Watson in a massive deal that included a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract and three first-round draft picks.
“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun,” Haslam stated. “We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t.”
Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency. After playing just 19 games in three seasons, his 2025 campaign is in doubt following an Achilles injury that required surgery in January. The Browns endured a tumultuous 2024 season, cycling through four different starting quarterbacks and finishing with a disappointing three-win record.
With the Watson era seemingly at an end, the Browns now enter the 2025 NFL Draft in dire need of a franchise quarterback. Holding the No. 2 overall pick, the team has a prime opportunity to secure a top prospect. However, Haslam also suggested that if the right player isn’t available, the Browns are willing to exercise patience.
“If the quarterback isn’t there, we’ll take a year or two to get it right,” Haslam said.
This measured approach signals that Cleveland may explore other options, including selecting a different positional talent or even trading down for future assets. The Tennessee Titans, who own the No. 1 overall pick after finishing the 2024 season with the league’s worst record, are also in the market for a quarterback, further complicating the Browns’ decision-making process.
Cleveland currently holds ten selections in the draft:
- Round 1 – No. 2
- Round 2 – No. 33
- Round 3 – No. 67, No. 94 (from Buffalo)
- Round 4 – No. 104
- Round 6 – No. 179, No. 192 (from Miami through Chicago), No. 200 (from Minnesota), No. 216 (Compensatory Selection)
- Round 7 – No. 254 (Compensatory Selection)
As the franchise plots its next move, discussions at the NFL Annual Meeting also include potential rule changes, which require approval from 24 of the 32 team owners. While the Browns focus on rebuilding, the league itself is considering adjustments that could impact gameplay and strategy in the coming seasons.
