When the Browns made the unprecedented move to acquire controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans on Friday, there was only one response: It’s so Cleveland.
The National Football League has its share of buffoonish owners like Jerry Jones in Dallas and Washington’s Dan Snyder, but Cleveland’s Jimmy and Dee Haslam have taken their desperation for winning to another level in agreeing to a five-year, $230 million deal with Watson — all guaranteed — making him the second-highest quarterback in the league behind Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.
Not only did the Browns mortgage their future by giving up first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024 in exchange for Watson, who might be suspended this season because of 22 civil lawsuits for alleged sexual assault or misconduct, they also gave up a third-rounder in 2023 and a fourth-rounder in 2024.
