Browns Brass Joins Deshaun Watson Trade in 2022

As the Browns slide into the AFC North basement after their offseason season extension. Andrew Berry And Kevin Stefanskiblaming Deshaun Watson decisions will be made as the organization moves forward.

Jimmy Haslam came out and said his CEO had a plan offer Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million. The contract prompted the quarterback to waive his no-trade clause with Cleveland after previously removing the team from consideration. More than two years after Haslam’s comments, Berry said the organization agreed to the move.

Asked whether ownership required Watson’s deal to cross the target line two years ago, Berry responded:via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com) “We were all on board.” This is consistent with a recent report indicating Stefanski agreed with Berry about the trade that led Baker Mayfield Charlotte and ultimately puts the Browns in a historic quandary.

Watson’s Achilles tear prevented Stefanski from making the decision to bench his prized starter, as the fifth-year Browns HC has repeatedly stated that an embattled QB gives the team the best chance to win. Watson ranks last in QBR. When asked if a healthy Watson would play for the Browns again, Berry responded:via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com), “It’s always possible.” Stefanski refused to confirmThanks in large part to Watson’s health, the QB will be his starter in 2025.

Berry, who was hired two weeks after Stefanski in 2020, said the two-time coach of the year is “part of the solution.” via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. If ownership should pass despite contract extension with Berry and Stefanski (unknown length), it would be unexpected for one to stay and the other to leave. So Berry’s support may not carry too much weight here. At 2-7 and with Watson guaranteed through 2026, the Browns’ strong duo certainly shouldn’t be considered a lock for a 2025 return.

The Browns beat out the Falcons to land Watson, who the Panthers and Saints also pursued as finalists three offseasons ago. All teams agreed to trade terms with the Texans, who put together a historic crop of Pro Bowl QBs. Berry saw his ability to build a roster around Watson falter due to the Browns not having a first-round pick after the trade. The Browns became the first team since the 1976 49ers (Jim Plunkett) trade three first-rounders for a veteran QB; to say the deal backfired would be a mild assessment of the situation.

Watson doesn’t fit into Stefanski’s offense, and his play continues to deteriorate despite the Browns knocking off OK. Alex Van Pelt For Ken Dorsey this year. Dorsey is now calling the shots in Cleveland, and Stefanski is retiring for the first time in his tenure, but Jameis Winston — adding a QB with support from Watson – is at the helm. When asked if he regretted not returning Joe Flaccowho has repeatedly stated that he wants to return after his Comeback Player of the Year campaign, Berry responded (via Easterling) in that he has “very confidence” in the Browns’ current QB room. Flacco said the Browns didn’t offer him a deal.

Having helped build rosters that included many players with eight-figure annual incomes, Berry authorized two restructurings of Watson’s contract – the second of which will arrive in August. That created cap space in 2023 and 2024, but has two monster cap numbers for the Browns in 2025 and ’26. Watson is expected to make $72.9 million on Cleveland’s next two payrolls. With an eighth year student settlement of his latest civil suitthe chances that the Browns would be saved by a second suspension for personal conduct were diminished. However, the NFL’s investigation continues.

As it stands, the Browns face two more fully guaranteed base salaries of $46 million, plus the inflated cap space created by the restructuring. Cutting Watson in 2025 would cost the Browns $172 million, and while that deal would be stretched over two years in a post-June 1 trade, that amount would more than double the current single-game dead money record – Russell WilsonThe $83 million-plus tab the Broncos are targeting. Wilson’s dead cap, more than double the previous single-game record, shows how far the Browns have entered uncharted territory with their controversial 2022 trade.

When asked about how Watson’s contract would hinder the Browns in the future, Berry responded:via Cabot) “We can build a team,” despite the fact that this deal is already planned. Whether Berry can make those decisions may be a major storyline for the Browns heading into the 2025 offseason.

While Haslam authorized the extensions of Berry and Stefanski, the owner was quite active in firing senior executives and executives during his 13-year tenure. Will the decisions of both Berry and Stefanski (or just one?) sink Watson, or will the owners show uncharacteristic patience after taking a significant step back this season?