sports
Watson Says Relationship With Browns Owners Remains Strong After Haslam Called Acquisition a Miss
Watson addressed co-owner Jimmy Haslam's 2025 remark that the team took a big swing and miss on his acquisition. He cited family ties and compared his situation to a baseball player getting another at-bat.
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Com reported on June 12, 2026. Watson spoke to reporters on Wednesday after Haslam stated in early 2025 that the Browns "took a big swing and miss" when they acquired him from the Houston Texans in March 2022 and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. "I mean, the relationship is great," Watson said.
"Dee and Jimmy, they were at my wedding. " Watson compared his position to baseball player Bryce Harper. "One of my favorite baseball players that I’ve been watching is Bryce Harper. Sometimes he swings, but he stands back up, and he gets another opportunity, and he hits a home run," he said.
Watson has made 19 regular-season starts for the Browns. His 2023 season ended early because of a shoulder injury, and he suffered a torn Achilles in October 2024. Watson said he is not trying to match his 2020 performance.
"I’m not trying to really replicate 2020," he stated. " Watson is competing with Shedeur Sanders for the Browns' starting quarterback job ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
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