Former Browns exec makes ridiculous excuse for Deshaun Watson trade

Matt Sullivan

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Former Browns exec makes ridiculous excuse for Deshaun Watson trade image

The Cleveland Browns made one of the worst trades in professional sports history in their deal with the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson. The veteran quarterback immediately didn't pan out, and the Browns were set back years.

One of the executives who made such a trade was Paul DePodesta, who recently departed to be the Colorado Rockies' new president of baseball operations.

During an introductory press conference with the Rockies, which Scotty Gange of 9News shared, DePodesta answered a question about the Watson trade. His answer was a ridiculous one, taking as little of the blame as possible for a massive mistake.

Former Browns exec makes ridiculous excuse for Deshaun Watson trade

"I was also calling plays for the Browns..." DePodesta joked. "Those are organization decisions; if you're a senior leader, then you own that.... I lost my 'no-hitter' long ago."

While DePodesta wasn't calling plays for the Browns, the package that Cleveland sent to the Texans, along with the fully guaranteed contract, was the main reason why this was a widely criticized trade.

The Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which was immediately viewed as an overpay.

In the years since, no quarterback has received a fully guaranteed deal like Watson's, as players, executives, and agents all recognize it as an overpay.

DePodesta is trying to deflect the blame for the Watson trade failing to the playcalling. While Watson wasn't a good player on the field, even if he played better, it was still an overpay, even without the massive compensation the Browns sent the Texans.

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Trading for Watson cost Cleveland a massive haul. They sent a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 third-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick for Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Just one first-rounder would've been an overpay for Cleveland. But, they wound up sending three firsts, along with a third and two fourths. The players selected with those picks make the blockbuster Watson trade look even worse.

Jordan Davis, Jahmyr Gibbs, Dameon Pierce, Jalin Hyatt, Brian Thomas Jr., and Cade Stover were drafted in the slots the Browns traded to the Texans. Thanks to Houston landing such a haul, they were able to land C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. In the same draft class, among other massive additions to the roster, thanks to this trade.

Playcalling wasn't going to save this trade from being a mistake. DePodesta's comment on the Watson trade is a ridiculous one to make, as no matter how it's cut, the trade was a mistake the moment it was completed.

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Editorial Team