In a pivotal move, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has reportedly decided to part ways with General Manager Andrew Berry, holding him accountable for the controversial Deshaun Watson trade and contract.
This development marks a significant shake-up within the organization as the Browns’ disappointing 2024 season winds down.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has also faced mounting scrutiny, is expected to follow Berry out the door, but it’s Berry’s role in Watson’s deal that appears to have sealed his fate first.
Berry played a central role in orchestrating the blockbuster trade for Watson in 2022, surrendering multiple first-round picks and awarding the quarterback a historic fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
While the move was intended to elevate the Browns into championship contention, Watson’s inconsistent performance and lingering off-field controversies have left the team mired in mediocrity.
Coupled with a 3-12 record this season, it’s clear the gamble hasn’t paid off.
Critics have long questioned the wisdom of investing so heavily in Watson, and the contract has hampered the team’s ability to address other pressing roster needs.
Haslam, who publicly supported the move at the time, now appears ready to hit the reset button, starting with Berry.
While Stefanski’s dismissal has been anticipated, Berry’s departure underscores Haslam’s dissatisfaction with the team’s broader strategic direction.
The next GM will face the monumental task of rebuilding the Browns with limited draft capital and significant salary cap constraints.
For Browns fans, this move signals a desire for accountability and change at the highest levels of the organization.
However, it also raises questions about the franchise’s ability to recover from the fallout of the Watson era, as the team searches for leadership capable of steering Cleveland back to relevance.
