The Cleveland Browns sound ready to risk things again with Deshaun Watson, at least based on comments from owner Jimmy Haslam on Monday.
Haslam expressed optimism that Watson can still contribute to the Browns in 2026. The owner infamously called his trade for Watson “a big swing and a miss” a year ago, but updated it Monday and left open the possibility that it still becomes a home run.
#Browns owner Jimmy Haslam believes it’s possible for Deshaun Watson to go from “a swing and a miss” to a home run if he starts this year.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 30, 2026
This would require quite the change in fortune. The quarterback is coming off back-to-back Achilles tears and was never particularly good for the Browns even when he did play. In 19 starts with the team, he has thrown an underwhelming 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and the Browns are just 9-10 in those starts.
Watson has made it clear he still thinks he can turn his career around, but few others think the 30-year-old has much left in the tank. Perhaps Haslam thinks Watson can contribute because he has no other choice but to hope for some return on the investment.
