Browns future: Jimmy Haslem owning up to his mistakes is a giant step forward

Jimmy Haslam’s Deshaun Watson admission helps the Browns move forward

During the NFL owners meeting, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam shocked everyone (well, those who didn’t know) when he was asked about the Deshaun Watson trade. Taking responsibility, while noting that it was an organizational decision, is not something that we have heard from Haslam, as everyone has toed the company line despite the obvious failure.

Perhaps Haslam is admitting to even more than just the trade and contract but the admission itself is refreshing and, likely, gives GM Andrew Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski a fresh start.

Let us check the reactions.

Everyone knew that the Browns took a swing and missed, but to hear the owners come out and take the blame for the decision and not pin it on the general manager/head coach, it shows two important things: Growth & accountability.

How is it considered growth?

Everyone has been in situations in which they have taken risks and those risks end up backfiring with the consequences lingering. When Cleveland decided to move off of Baker Mayfield, it may have been the right decision. Mayfield didn’t show he was capable of being a franchise quarterback, so the Browns decided to move on.

While that move may have been the right one, at the time, filling Mayfield’s spot turned out to be the “miss” that Haslam talked about.

When the team traded Watson, the quarterback was dealing with his off-the-field issues, not to mention a rift going on with the Houston Texans front office. He was a Pro Bowl level quarterback at the time, and many thought he could elevate a franchise. He wanted out, and Cleveland needed a quarterback, so they made the move.

Watson never got back to anything close to his old form.

The Browns remained committed to Watson throughout his poor performances but at the end of last season, it was clear the organization was distancing themselves. Subtle quotes and statements made it clear that the team was ready to go in another direction. Everyone knew that it didn’t work out, but instead of trying to make it work they chalked it up as a miss.

It happens. In the past, Cleveland would try to make it work if a trade/signing didn’t go as planned, but instead, they decided it was best to move on.

Haslam’s statement was the final nail in the coffin.

How is it considered accountability and why it’s a positive sign in the right direction

Rarely have we seen professional team owners own up to their mistakes when it comes to their own football teams. The obvious reason is pride. Owners rarely want to admit when they are wrong, instead, they will choose to either deflect the blame or try to come up with an excuse.

Or just fire people.

Lack of accountability coming from an owner says a lot about how the team operates. Haslam choosing to own up to the mistake is a sign of accountability. The owner showing signs of both growth and accountability the past couple of months and it should be a positive sign.

You might ask, “why should it be considered a positive sign that Haslam showed signs of accountability?”

Has he ever shown signs of being accountable for his actions?

He showed that not only was he the driving force behind the Watson trade, but he was willing to fall on the sword instead of letting Berry and Stefanski take the fall. It’s a positive sign to see because it now allows Haslam to step back and let his general manager run the team and make the decisions that are beneficial.

Haslam gave the duo his vote of confidence, not to mention Haslam not getting involved in the Myles Garrett trade request saga, which showed that he was changing and letting the football people make the football decisions.

Progress was made and fans should feel a little more happy with the direction the Browns are eventually heading in.