When the Cleveland Browns traded six draft picks — including three first-rounders — for Deshaun Watson, they never envisioned this nightmare scenario. The $230 million man has underperformed and may very well enter the 2025 season as the team’s third-string quarterback. In 2024, things went from bad to worse for the former Clemson star.
Watson failed to eclipse 200 passing yards in any of his seven starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. That setback only accelerated the inevitable: Watson’s grip on the starting job was slipping fast.
Now, entering the 2025 offseason, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam isn’t shying away from acknowledging the massive swing-and-miss.
Three-Time Pro Bowler Encourages Accountability Across NFL
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton appreciates Haslam’s transparency, but he believes this moment should spark accountability across the league — not just in Cleveland.
On a recent episode of “4th&1 with Cam Newton”, the 2015 MVP delivered a strong message about the Watson situation.
"If we’re keeping it real about Deshaun, let’s keep it real about EVERY QB who didn’t live up to the hype. It’s about accountability all around"@CameronNewton calls out other NFL owners after Jimmy Haslam admits to a miss on Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/BT1CKV2zVF
— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) April 4, 2025
“I appreciate that honesty, I do,” Newton said. “But if the Atlanta Falcons ain’t gonna admit just like this owner admitted … I don’t like it. I don’t like how they throwing on Deshaun Watson, I really don’t. I am ready for the Atlanta Falcons to admit too that they F’ed up the whole Kirk Cousins situation.”
Newton has repeatedly criticized the Falcons for handing out a massive contract to Cousins. Comparing it to Cleveland’s Watson gamble, Newton said it’s time for more franchises to own their mistakes.
When asked if Watson’s story is over, Newton was candid.
“No, I don’t think they will give him an opportunity to redeem himself,” he said. “He’s still nursing the injury, I don’t think he even gonna be ready for training camp.”
He added, “He ain’t got the same graces, ’cause now it’s not just on the field about Deshaun Watson … He has one of those looming off-field issues, similar to Michael Vick.
“No matter where Michael Vick went, there was no denying his talent. He still had to answer questions about dogfighting. No different than Deshaun Watson. No different than how his talent is, but he’s gonna have to answer questions about sexual harassment.”
Newton wrapped his thoughts on Watson with direct advice to the 29-year-old quarterback.
“If I’m Deshaun Watson, I can control what I can control,” Newton said. “Get as healthy as possible, keep working your tail off, and ignore the noise. Be the best version of yourself. Now, have you had time to prove your case? Yes. Do you still have time? Who knows?”
He continued, “Don’t harbor on, ‘I don’t wanna be in Cleveland no more, ask for a trade.’ You don’t have trading power — that’s just the reality.”
Newton even drew a comparison to another former Browns quarterback. With Baker Mayfield rejuvenating his career in Tampa Bay, Newton believes a bounce-back is still possible for Watson — if he puts in the work.
To close out his thoughts, Newton returned to the topic of accountability across the league.
“Mr. Jimmy, I appreciate your transparency,” Newton said. “The whole grand scheme of things — I don’t like that. Not your words. Just, if we’re going to hold executives and decision-makers accountable with performance-based standards… Atlanta, where you at? If we gonna hold him [Watson] in contempt because of off-the-field issues, he ain’t the only person.”
Newton’s call for honesty and consistency may not change the NFL’s culture overnight — but his message to Watson is clear: keep working.