Browns Owner Doubles Down on Deshaun Watson as Starter

Adam Schefter stunned by Jimmy Haslam's comments about the embattled QB's future in Cleveland

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:34pm

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Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has once again expressed confidence in Deshaun Watson as the team's starting quarterback, despite the player's injury history and inconsistent performance since joining the team in 2022. ESPN's Adam Schefter was taken aback by Haslam's comments, noting the owner's previous admission that acquiring Watson was a 'big swing and a miss' for the franchise.

Why it matters

The Browns' quarterback situation has been in flux for years, with the team cycling through multiple starters each season. Haslam's continued support for Watson, who has played in just 19 games over the past four years due to injuries and off-field issues, raises questions about the team's long-term plans at the position and whether they are truly committed to building a winning roster around the embattled quarterback.

The details

Despite Watson's struggles and the Browns' poor quarterback play in recent seasons, Haslam told reporters that the 31-year-old QB has a 'great chance' to be the team's starting quarterback in 2026. This comes after Haslam previously admitted that trading for and signing Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract was a 'big swing and a miss' for the franchise. With Watson set to make $46 million this season, the Browns are heavily invested in the former Pro Bowler, though he has appeared in just 19 games since joining the team and has not come close to recapturing his pre-injury form.

  • In 2022, the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.
  • Over the past four seasons, Watson has appeared in just 19 games for the Browns due to injuries and off-field issues.
  • Last season, the Browns started three different quarterbacks - Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders - as Watson missed the entire year with Achilles tendon injuries.

The players

Deshaun Watson

The Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback, who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play since joining the team in 2022 on a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.

Jimmy Haslam

The owner of the Cleveland Browns, who has expressed continued confidence in Deshaun Watson despite the quarterback's poor performance and injury history with the team.

Adam Schefter

The ESPN NFL insider who was taken aback by Haslam's comments about Watson having a 'great chance' to be the Browns' starting quarterback in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Let's just take the Browns owner at his word, despite the fact that a year ago, Jimmy Haslam thought that Deshaun Watson essentially had played his last down with the Cleveland Browns. … 'Big swing and a miss' is what he called it. … And now, a year later, that 'big swing and a miss' is stepping back into the batter's box and getting another crack at the Browns' starting quarterback job. And when the owner says there's a great chance, I believe that.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL Insider

What’s next

The Browns will have to decide whether to keep Watson as their starting quarterback in 2026 or potentially move in a different direction at the position. Watson's future with the team and his ability to regain his Pro Bowl form will be a major storyline to watch as the offseason progresses.

The takeaway

The Browns' quarterback situation remains in flux, with owner Jimmy Haslam's continued support for the injury-prone and underperforming Deshaun Watson raising questions about the team's long-term plans at the position. This saga highlights the challenges of building a winning roster around a highly paid, but unreliable, quarterback.