In 2022, the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns completed a major trade for star quarterback Deshaun Watson. Despite his off-field issues, the Browns felt comfortable acquiring him and signed him to a record-breaking contract. The Browns believed they had found their quarterback of the future, but as time passed, the trade began to look like one of the worst in sports history.
The trade involved multiple draft picks exchanged between the two teams, with the Texans receiving a number of valuable players as a result. Houston drafted several key players, including offensive guard Kenyon Green, running back Dameon Pierce, star defensive end Will Anderson Jr, wide receiver Tank Dell, cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Jamal Hill, and safety Calen Bullock. The Texans also made a pick-swap deal with the Minnesota Vikings for an additional first-round pick.
On the other hand, the Browns still have Deshaun Watson but have struggled with his performance on the field. Despite the initial excitement of acquiring a talented quarterback, Watson has failed to live up to expectations. His decision-making has been questionable, and the team has found more success with other quarterbacks, such as Joe Flacco, leading the offense.
While the Browns have struggled, Houston has thrived since the trade. The Texans made the postseason and defeated the Browns in the Wild Card round. Houston’s success has been attributed to the draft picks received in the Watson trade, which have helped strengthen the team and turn them into a competitive force in the league.
Looking back on the trade, it is clear that the Texans emerged as the winners. They were able to rebuild their team with the draft picks acquired from the Browns, while Cleveland has faced challenges with Watson’s performance on and off the field. The trade serves as a cautionary tale of the risks involved in making blockbuster deals in professional sports. Despite the initial excitement, the outcome can often be unpredictable and have long-lasting consequences for teams involved.
