Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged sexual assault.
Without a clear No. 1 quarterback on the roster, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is placing faith in Deshaun Watson.
Haslam addressed the embattled veteran quarterback from the NFL’s owners meetings in Phoenix on Monday.
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Per ESPN, Haslam’s not ruling out Watson returning as Cleveland’s starting quarterback next season. In fact, he says, the Browns are “excited” about the prospect.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam told reporters, per ESPN. “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years.
“He’s in great shape, he’ll be [in Cleveland] on April 7 when we start [the offseason workout program]. Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Haslam’s comments arrive nearly a year to the date after he called the acquisition of Watson a “big swing and miss.”
Watson’s coming off two Achilles tendon tears and hasn’t played an NFL game since Week 7 of the 2024 season.
Before joining the Browns, Watson was one of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks. He made three Pro Bowls with the Houston Texans from 2018 to 2020.
Browns committed to Watson despite allegations
Watson did not play in 2021 following a wave of allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault. In total, 27 women accused Watson of various allegations, including grabbing by the buttocks, exposing himself, touching them with his genitals, forcefully kissing them and forcing them to perform oral sex. The allegations stemmed mostly from massage sessions.
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The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 despite the allegations and gave up a package that included three first-round picks to acquire him. They signed Watson to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
Watson has long denied the allegations. An attorney representing Watson’s accusers announced in 2022 that 20 of 24 pending lawsuits against Watson had been settled out of court. The last of two known lawsuits facing Watson were dismissed in February. It’s not clear if they were settled.
Watson’s been bad or injured since he joined the Browns
Watson started his career in Cleveland on an 11-game NFL suspension. His play suffered upon his return to the field even before he sustained multiple injuries.
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Watson played six games each in 2022 and 2023 and seven in 2024 before his first Achilles tear ended his season. He posted an 80.7 quarterback rating in those games after posting a 104.5 rating in 53 games with the Texans.
What will Browns do at QB?
The Browns have not found a viable starting quarterback since signing Watson and have largely struggled with with a group of signal-callers including Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Jameis Winston. They’ve done nothing so far this offseason to improve their lot at quarterback.
Watson, 30, is approaching the final year of his $230 million contract. And Haslam appears intent on finding out if he has anything left.
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