Give Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam some credit for finally acknowledging that his team’s trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022 was “a big swing and miss” when asked about it during this week’s NFL owners meetings. While Haslam’s admission is something, it is largely a mild response to what could very well be the worst trade in the 105-year history of the league.
In fact, that’s exactly what CBS Sports senior NFL writer Pete Prisco called it, stating that the trade saw the Browns acquire Watson from the Houston Texans in exchange for three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two fourth-round picks. Cleveland also gave Watson the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history at that time.
“When you really look at it, though, he [Haslam] was actually kind of kind, because swing and a miss is one strike, right? This is the equivalent of striking out 50 times in a row. That’s what this trade is. It’s the worst trade in the history of the National Football League, and it’s not close.” — Pete Prisco
CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones then questioned Prisco regarding whether the Watson trade is worse than the infamous 1989 trade by the Vikings for Cowboys running back Herschel Walker, which included Dallas acquiring eight draft picks and Minnesota’s next three first-round picks, spearheading the Cowboys’ dynastic run.
“Way worse than the Herschel Walker trade. At least Herschel Walker could do some things. Deshaun Watson never did anything for them. It’s a terrible trade. They’re still feeling the effects of it. Their quarterback situation is a mess. They’re bound by him because of the cap and the money they spent on him, and they don’t have those draft picks. Other than that, nice job, Mr. Haslam.” — Pete Prisco
Since acquiring Watson, the Browns have made the playoffs just once — in the 2023 season — largely due to the play of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who won Comeback Player of the Year honors after Watson suffered a season-ending injury in 2024. Watson is just 9-10 as the Browns’ starting quarterback, with a dismal 1-6 record in 2024 before being sidelined for most of the 2025 season due to an Achilles injury.
With Watson sidelined, the Browns are contemplating using the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback, especially if the Titans decide against selecting former Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick.
