Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam backed head coach Kevin Stefanski amid calls for his job but also took a shot at quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Haslam has made his feelings clear on how the Watson trade has affected the franchise. He called it a “swing and miss” this offseason and referred to it as a “tough break” the team is suffering from in an interview with Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam told Russini, referring to the Watson trade. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
The Browns made a blockbuster move in 2022, acquiring Watson in hopes of finally finding their long-sought franchise quarterback. Cleveland surrendered three first-round picks and additional assets to complete the deal, then signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract — the largest of its kind in NFL history at the time.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Eager to Return
Since the trade, Watson has dealt with a mix of setbacks — from a lengthy suspension to multiple injuries. He’s currently rehabbing a twice-ruptured Achilles, an issue that’s kept him off the field for more than a year. When available, he’s struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form from his Houston days, posting a 9-10 record as the starter while throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Watson carries a cap hit of nearly $36 million this season, which skyrockets to roughly $80 million next year. If the Browns were to move on from the embattled quarterback, they’d be facing a record-setting dead cap charge.
Despite his rough stay in Cleveland and the injury setbacks, Watson has said he’s set on returning and proving his doubters wrong.
“Everyone is doubting me — everyone don’t believe in me,” Watson said in a video on social media. “Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was. But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself… I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”
Deshaun Watson Remains a Presence for Browns
Watson has remained a presence around the Browns’ facility as he continues to get back to full health. Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave complimented Watson for being a resource for rookie Dillon Gabriel.
“I like when those two birds converse, I like when they’re talking over there,” Musgrave said. “And I try to take myself out of the equation – I don’t need to be there hovering all over them. They spoke a lot during the game, in fact, the other day against Miami on the sideline with Deshaun being there. Deshaun went on the trip with us down to Charlotte to get his Achilles looked at, but otherwise he hasn’t been on the road. We miss him on the road. It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Musgrave also commended Watson for his work behind the scenes as he prepares for a return to the field.
“He’s working hard,” Musgrave said. “I see him in the weight room all the time doing box jumps and doing all the exercises, things that they put them through before his Achilles, and then he’s out throwing some passes. I know at times when we’re meeting or when we’re doing other stuff during the afternoon, he seems like he’s working like crazy.”
Watson is expected to undergo further evaluation following the Browns’ bye week. At that point, both he and the team will determine whether he’s ready to return to practice. Watson remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but once he returns to practice, the Browns will have 21 days to add him to the active roster.
If activated, it’s unknown where Watson could slot into the depth chart alongside Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. But if Haslam’s comments are any indicator, the team views him more as part of their past and not the future.
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