Jimmy Haslam thought he’d found his franchise quarterback when he traded away six draft picks for Deshaun Watson. Three injury-plagued seasons and ugly off the field issues later, the Cleveland Browns owner is staring at a four-way competition for the starting job. But Haslam isn’t backing down from the challenge ahead.
How Is Jimmy Haslam Handling the Browns’ Four-Quarterback Battle?
When the Browns shipped six draft selections, including three first-round picks, to the Houston Texans, Haslam believed he solved their quarterback issue for the next decade. However, it did not work out in the manner he hoped.
In 2023, Watson broke a bone in his right (throwing) shoulder, ending that campaign early. The following year, Watson’s season ended in Week 7 after exiting with a torn Achilles tendon. Earlier this year, he re-tore the Achilles, which means he could also miss the upcoming 2025-26 season. Since then, Haslam and the Browns have decided to locate their next quarterback.
#Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on how the team is handling the 4-QB position battle: “Really well.” Says he feels bad for Kenny Pickett who got hurt because he was doing so well: pic.twitter.com/W9D7L5xF2l
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) July 29, 2025
Despite the chaos at the position, Haslam maintains an optimistic outlook about the competition. His confidence seems genuine, even as injuries continue to complicate the Browns’ quarterback plans.
What Did Haslam Say About Deshaun Watson’s Future?
When talking about Watson and his future, the team made an attempt to put things in perspective. Watson turns 30 in September, and he has made just 557 pass attempts since joining the Browns.
Jimmy Haslam, who called the trade for Deshaun Watson a “big-swing-and-miss,” was asked if he sees Watson playing for the Browns again.
“I think it’s premature. I don’t think anything’s changed on this situation since we were together in March (owners meeting).”
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) July 29, 2025
When asked if he sees Watson playing for the Browns again, Haslam was candid.
‘I think it’s premature. I don’t think anything’s changed in this situation since we were together in March (owners meeting).'”
Haslam’s honest assessment of the Watson trade shows a willingness to acknowledge mistakes. However, his measured response about Watson’s future suggests the organization hasn’t closed the door completely, despite the mounting evidence that the trade hasn’t delivered the expected results.
How Are the Browns Planning Their Long-Term Quarterback Strategy?
Looking forward, Haslam will use previous reflections to look ahead and attempt to implement corrective action.
Jimmy Haslam on Browns’ QB plan:
‘We made the decision last year to take a step back after last year’s disaster and looking at our roster and knowing that we needed a quarterback to do this over a two- or three-year period.’— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) July 29, 2025
Regarding the QB plan, Haslam said, “We made the decision last year to take a step back after last year’s disaster, and looking at our roster and knowing that we needed a quarterback to do this over a two- or three-year period.”
This strategic shift represents a significant change in approach for an organization that previously made bold, immediate moves. The acknowledgment that solving the quarterback position might take multiple years shows newfound patience from an ownership group that has historically pursued quick fixes.
Currently, 40-year-old veteran signal caller Joe Flacco looks like the leader in the metaphorical clubhouse. Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring last week and will miss time, removing him from immediate consideration. Behind them are rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, both fighting to prove they belong in the NFL.
Gabriel earned praise from the media and garnered trust from the coaching staff during early practices. Sanders faces a steeper climb and will need to fight just to gain a roster spot on a team already carrying multiple quarterbacks.
Haslam has invested heavily in quarterbacks over the years, with little return on those investments. This year could see a similar result, as the owner finds himself in the position of paying five quarterbacks without finding the unquestioned leader.
Moving forward, the question becomes whether the team settles on one option and commits to developing that player, or continues the cycle of constant change that has defined the franchise’s quarterback position for years.
