Former Browns executive Paul DePodesta reflects on polarizing Deshaun Watson trade: 'We all own that'

Colin Cowherd explains why the misinterpretation of Dillon Gabriel's "entertainer" comments could soon push the Cleveland Browns out of the Shedeur Sanders business.

Paul DePodesta brought his analytics strategies and expertise to the Cleveland Browns in 2016 when he was named the franchise's chief strategy officer. 

DePodesta started a new chapter last week when he was named president of baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies.

He has familiarity with the MLB, having previously worked for the then-Cleveland Indians, the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets. DePodesta also spent a few seasons as the Los Angeles Dodgers' general manager. Amid his return to an MLB front office, DePodesta reflected on one of the more notable moves he helped orchestrate during his stint with the Browns – the blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson.

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Cleveland Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, left, talks with managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on Aug. 21, 2022, in Cleveland. (Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)

Watson has appeared in just 19 games in the three years since he inked an unprecedented, fully guaranteed $230 million contract shortly after the Houston Texans agreed to send him to Cleveland in 2022. The 32 games Watson missed were due to either suspension or injury.

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The decision continues to face criticism, with many seeking to assign blame to one or more of the Browns’ decision-makers. DePodesta offered some context, recalling the decision to trade for Watson as a collective choice.

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