Browns owner admits Deshaun Watson deal was a "big swing and miss"

Former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson had a heck of a career with the Tigers, culminating in a national championship and earning himself a spot atop the list of legends in the program.

Unfortunately, we all know what happened next.

Watson was the subject of one of the worst off-field incidents in recent memory and he was basically blacklisted from the NFL -- for a year.

However, the hot start to his career with the Texans earned him more good graces than he probably deserved with some teams around the league. While a lot of organizations wouldn't touch Watson despite his Pro Bowl ability, he missed the entire 2021 season after he had over 4,800 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in 2020 to go along with 444 rushing yards and three scores.

Teams were bidding for that good deal that Watson would undoubtedly provide just by trying to get back into the league and clean up his act and the Browns jumped on it.

For how good he was, Watson's five-year, $230 million deal felt like it was worth it, but the baggage? Maybe not so much. As long as he was performing and working on himself, it would've paid for itself, right?

Wrong.

Since signing that deal, Watson has been one of the biggest letdowns in the league over the past three years, playing 19 total games with just over 3,000 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also has posted career-low completion percentages.

The Browns had seemingly defended the deal ever since and won't concede to benching or getting rid of Watson, but owner Jimmy Haslam changed his tune recently, calling it a "big swing and miss".

Honestly, he's right. It has been a disaster ever since he was signed following his off-field issues and the Browns took on a massive cap hit because of it.

Watson was supposed to be the franchise quarterback and help lead the organization out of the basement of the NFL but he's been nothing but an overpriced letdown. Now the Browns are having some buyer's remorse and you can't blame them but it's too late.

Now it'd be shocking if another team gave him a chance down the line. Watson's career is in major limbo.