Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Optimistic About Deshaun Watson's 'Fresh Start'

Haslam believes Watson has a 'great chance' to bounce back after a tumultuous 2022 season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:21pm

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold brushstrokes of neon orange, yellow, and blue, capturing the dynamic motion of a quarterback throwing a football.The Browns' high-stakes gamble on Deshaun Watson's comeback attempt is filled with both promise and uncertainty.Cleveland Today

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed cautious optimism about quarterback Deshaun Watson's prospects for the upcoming season, stating that Watson has a 'great chance' and 'fresh start' with new head coach Todd Monken. Haslam acknowledged that Watson's 2022 season was a 'swing and a miss' but believes he has the ability to turn things around, citing Watson's strong practice performances in December before his second Achilles surgery.

Why it matters

The Browns made a blockbuster trade for Watson in 2022, but his debut season was marred by a suspension and injuries. Haslam's comments suggest the team still believes Watson can be a franchise quarterback, but he'll need to prove himself on the field after a tumultuous year.

The details

Haslam said Watson 'threw the ball well' in his three weeks of practice in December before his second Achilles surgery, stating 'it's not like, who's this guy? It's like, 'wow, he's going to look good'.' However, Haslam acknowledged that Watson will need to perform well under pressure in games to show he can return to his pre-2022 form. The Browns GM also left the quarterback competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders up to new head coach Todd Monken.

  • In 2022, Haslam called the trade for Watson 'a swing and a miss' during the NFL owners meetings.
  • Watson practiced for three weeks in December 2022 before undergoing his second Achilles surgery.

The players

Jimmy Haslam

The owner of the Cleveland Browns who expressed optimism about Deshaun Watson's chances for a bounce-back season.

Deshaun Watson

The Browns' starting quarterback who is looking to rebound after a tumultuous 2022 season that was marred by a suspension and injuries.

Todd Monken

The new head coach of the Cleveland Browns who will be tasked with overseeing the quarterback competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.

Shedeur Sanders

The quarterback who will compete with Deshaun Watson for the starting job under new Browns head coach Todd Monken.

Andrew Berry

The general manager of the Cleveland Browns who said there is 'no rule against' extending Deshaun Watson's contract if he plays well.

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What they’re saying

“'There's a lot of quarterbacks who, it seems to be kind of the theme in the NFL who either started, did not start well and take the Super Bowl (route), right? And what a great story that is for Sam Darnold,' he said. 'Deshaun started great and the year before we signed him, he was the second best quarterback in NFL. And then the suspension and the injuries and all that piled up, can he come back from that? He certainly had the ability at one point and we're cautiously optimistic.'”

— Jimmy Haslam, Browns Owner

“'I mean, it's not like, who's this guy? It's like, 'wow, he's going to look good' ...But you've got to do it in games, under pressure, etc. but he threw the ball well.'”

— Jimmy Haslam, Browns Owner

What’s next

The Browns will closely monitor Deshaun Watson's progress during the offseason and preseason as he looks to regain his form and win the starting job over Shedeur Sanders. The team's decision on whether to extend Watson's contract will depend on his performance in 2023.

The takeaway

After a tumultuous 2022 season, the Browns remain cautiously optimistic that Deshaun Watson can bounce back and regain his status as an elite NFL quarterback. However, he'll need to prove himself on the field, especially under pressure, to justify the team's blockbuster trade and earn a contract extension.