Deshaun Watson fires back after Browns owner laments QB’s acquisition: I’ll be back ‘way better than before’

Deshaun Watson Fires Back After Browns Owner Laments QB’s Acquisition: “I’ll Be Back Way Better Than Before”

Cleveland, OH – April 12, 2025 — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is not taking recent criticism from the top of the organization lightly. Just days after Browns owner Jimmy Haslam publicly expressed regret over the blockbuster trade that brought Watson to Cleveland, the embattled quarterback has responded with a fiery statement of his own, vowing to return “way better than before” and prove doubters wrong.

In a rare and unusually candid moment during a press conference earlier this week, Haslam acknowledged that the franchise’s controversial decision to trade for Watson — and subsequently award him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract — has not yielded the results the team had hoped for. “Looking back, it’s fair to say things haven’t worked out the way we envisioned,” Haslam said. “There have been injuries, setbacks, and off-field noise. It’s been tough, for us and for the fans.”

The comments quickly set off a storm in sports media and on social platforms, sparking debate among fans and analysts. Watson, who has remained largely silent in recent months as he recovers from shoulder surgery that cut short his 2024 season, broke that silence Thursday night with a pointed response on Instagram Live.

“I’m seeing all the talk, all the headlines, all the finger-pointing,” Watson said. “Let me make one thing clear — I’m not done. Not even close. I’ve been grinding, staying focused, and when I step back on that field, I’m coming back way better than before. People forgot what I can do. They gonna remember soon.”

The former Pro Bowler’s tenure in Cleveland has been marred by controversy and inconsistency. Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Since then, he has struggled to regain his All-Pro form, showing flashes of brilliance but failing to string together a consistent stretch of elite-level play. In 2023, he played in only six games before suffering a high-ankle sprain, and in 2024, a rotator cuff injury ended his season prematurely in Week 9.

Despite the setbacks, Watson’s confidence remains unshaken. “I know what I bring. I know the work I’ve been putting in, and the people around me believe in me — my teammates, my coaches, and most importantly, myself,” he said. “This next chapter? It’s personal.”

Reactions to Watson’s defiance have been mixed. Some fans have applauded his determination and believe he deserves another shot at redemption. Others remain skeptical, pointing to his massive contract and underwhelming production as reasons the Browns should consider cutting ties and moving in a new direction.

NFL analysts have also weighed in on the brewing tension between Watson and the Browns front office. “This is turning into a high-stakes gamble gone wrong,” said ESPN’s Marcus Spears. “You don’t give a quarterback $230 million guaranteed unless you’re absolutely certain he’s the guy. So far, Deshaun hasn’t delivered, and the clock is ticking.”

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has yet to comment publicly on the situation, but sources inside the organization say the coaching staff remains committed to giving Watson every opportunity to reclaim his starting role — assuming he’s fully healthy by training camp this summer.

As the 2025 season approaches, the Browns are once again facing a crossroads. With a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball, expectations remain high. But without steady, high-level quarterback play, the franchise risks another year of falling short in a highly competitive AFC North.

Whether Watson can silence the critics and return to the dominant form he once showed in Houston remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting, and Deshaun Watson knows the spotlight is firmly back on him.