The Cleveland Browns can't escape their 2022 error. Not only did their trade for Deshaun Watson fail spectacularly, but his presence also adds another layer to the quarterback choices.

And while the Browns don't have a final decision on their starting QB, Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports has referred to Watson as the worst trade.

“Deshaun Watson, the principal character in the worst trade in sports history, who hasn’t had a good season since 2020 and whose off-field history is just as problematic."

Now, it's not just this NFL insider who referred to Watson as a bad trade. Even Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called it a swing and a miss.

It all goes back to the offer they sent the Houston Texans, giving up first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The QB was handed a huge five-year, $230 million package. Yet, he hasn't played a single season since joining and sat out entirely last year.

Watson’s shoulder and Achilles injuries and off-the-field controversies have been a cause of worry for the Browns. In the Week 7 game in 2024, Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, which kept him away for the remainder of the 2024 season and the entire 2025 season. 

Since joining the Browns, Watson has played 19 games. He has completed 341 of 557 passes for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As a starter, Watson has a 9-10 record. His production in four years hasn’t yet justified the Browns’ investment. Entering the final year of his contract, Watson has it all to prove, and he seems to be making progress but there's still one thing holding him back.

"Monken also has good things to say about Watson, who missed the entire 2025 season with a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 campaign, but reality suggests that Sanders is the one who needs to take the leap," Farrar added.

Sanders keeps pressure on Watson in Browns QB1 race

The Browns' starting quarterback competition is set to continue during training camp in July and, most likely, till the preseason games.

Farrar added that Sanders, who was the Browns' fifth-round pick in 2025, has head coach Monken’s attention as the quarterback worth developing for the 2026 season.

“I think Shedeur’s come miles, in terms of his progressions, getting the ball out, his understanding of concepts,” said Monken, according to ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi on 21 May. “I think he’s really, really come a long way.”

Sanders registered 1,400 yards, seven TDs against 10 interceptions and a 56.6% completion rate in 2025. His progress, when compared to last year, got noticed by both head coach Monken and QB coach Mike Bajakian. 

“I’d say the past 10-12 weeks, whatever it’s been, he’s done a great job of defining his footwork, playing with a base, learning the offense, working his b*** off to really master his craft,” said Bajakian in early June, according to Farrar.

Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar