Browns owner gives optimistic outlook for injury-riddled Deshaun Watson

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

Deshaun Watson’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns has been one to forget.

The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans before the 2022 season and signed him to a five-year, $230 million deal, marking the richest deal for a quarterback at the time. But his lack of availability due to injuries and his play on the field have forced the organization to restructure his deal.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

He’s only played 19 games for the Browns over his first four seasons, while Cleveland has trotted out multiple quarterbacks, including Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and others, to try to find a temporary fix to a long-term problem.

Still, Browns co-owner Jimmy Haslam has an optimistic outlook for Watson.

"Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful," he told reporters at the NFL annual meeting on Monday, via ESPN.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) works out during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 12, 2025. (Ken Blaze/Imagn Images)

SHEDEUR SANDERS DITCHES ROOKIE NUMBER AS BROWNS ANNOUNCE CHANGE HEADING INTO 2026 SEASON

"So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the (least) he has in several years. He's in great shape, he'll be (in Cleveland) on April 7 when we start (the offseason workout program). Let's see