Browns' Watson Gamble: Home Run or Miss?

0:00On April 4th, a year ago at the 2025 NFL meetings, Brown's owner Jimmy Haslam called the Deshan Watson trade a big swing and a miss. Now he's flipped the script, telling reporters it's certainly possible for it to become a home run, especially with new head coach Todd Monkin giving. Watson a fresh start and a great chance to bounce back. Monkin comes over from the Ravens as an offensive coordinator wizard who tailor schemes to his players instead of forcing fits. Someone seems to believe this flexibility could unlock the $230 million investment in Watson and turn things around. Fans and media are scratching their heads over the sudden optimism, since many had counted out Watson returning to his Houston Texans prime. Theories are flying that the Browns are just posturing, maybe to smoke screen interest and drafting a quarterback like Ty Simpson later, given Monkins. Ty's to him. Others think it's about keeping the trade market honest, signaling they're happy with their quarterback room so teams don't jack up prices on guys, like Anthony Richardson or JJ McCarthy.

1:01But Watson's dealing with a throwing shoulder injury and a twice torn Achilles, making subpar play the realistic outlook at best. Meanwhile, whispers say Watson might compete with shader sanders for the starting spot, but this is the same Browns front office that hyped Travis. Hunter last year only to trade back and let Jacksonville snag him. Over the play, the real test comes on the field next season.