Jimmy Haslam clears the air on drafting of Shedeur Sanders

Greg Newland

Jimmy Haslam clears the air on drafting of Shedeur Sanders image

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

While we will never know who pulled the final strings on the Deshaun Watson trade, we did finally get admission from Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam that a mistake was made and that the team needed to dig itself out. 

The Browns gave Watson a $230 million guaranteed deal before the 2022 season, and in return, the Browns have gotten no production and lot of drama from him. 

Now, in July 2025, the same question is being asked: " Who decided to draft Shedeur Sander in round five?”

Haslam shut down his critics this week by making a statement that it was Andrew Berry’s decision to draft Sanders, not his.  Haslam, who is more involved than other owners, had conversations with Berry each day of the draft, but never about who he should or shouldn’t take. 

Haslam even brought some comedy to the interaction when he was quoted saying, “It doesn’t look like very much” when asked what he has learned as an NFL owner.

For this organization to have any chance, it needs to keep an organized structure without anyone stepping on each other’s toes. 

Greg Newland

Greg Newland is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in NW Ohio with a deep passion for Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Football He has previously written for Dawg Pound Daily. Although relocated to enemy territory in Michigan, the fandom runs deep. This is definitely the year for the Browns.