PHOENIX – At the 2026 NFL Annual Meeting, Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam reiterated their commitment to fixing the success of the Browns.
"I think we'd be remiss if we didn't start by saying that we share our fans' frustration," Jimmy Haslam said. "The last two seasons have not been good. We're not fun to watch and we hadn't won games. And I just want to let the fans know that Dee and I, JW, Whitney, our entire organization, feel their pain and we're 1,000 percent committed to getting this fixed and getting it right. And that's easier said than done, the proof is in the pudding, but we are totally focused on getting this fixed."
Jimmy Haslam said they have begun that process with the coaching staff built by head coach Todd Monken and the early stages of free agency led by Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry. That work continues as the Browns prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft – in which they hold nine picks – and move through the remainder of the offseason.
Here are the main takeaways from the Haslams' time with the local media.
New Huntington Bank Field stadium investment
The stadium project in Brook Park for the new Huntington Bank Field continues to move forward, with the official groundbreaking ceremony set for April 30.
"We're really incredibly excited about it," Dee Haslam said. "We've broken ground. We're going to have the official groundbreaking on April 30. We continue to invest in the plan to make sure we're delivering an unbelievable experience for our fans. And actually, what we're doing, it contributes to the growth and economic development in our state. So, we're really excited about what the stadium will mean for the area for Northeast Ohio, not only for on game day, but for 365 days a year attracting great events to Cleveland. Very excited about it."
The Haslams also recently increased their personal investment in the stadium project, raising their contribution to $1.755 billion. The increased amount allows for future stadium enhancements focused on creating the best stadium fan experience and in sports.
"In doing the plan, we want to make sure that we deliver on our promises to the fans to create the most exciting fan experience we can," Dee Haslam said. "And so, during the process, you're usually going to have to invest more into it to make sure you ensure that. So, we're excited that we're doing it. We didn't want to cut any corners. We wanted it to be perfectly done, and we feel good about where we are."
While the new enclosed stadium will serve as the new home for the Browns, the 67,500-seat "Super Theater" venue, designed by leading sports architecture firm HKS, will be capable of hosting a wide array of premier large-scale events year-round – including NCAA Final Fours, international soccer matches and concerts for crowds of up to 75,000. Jimmy Haslam added they recently had a preliminary conversation about the Women's World Cup.
And those conversations will continue as the project progresses towards the opening in 2029.
"We're working with the Sports Commission on getting some of those great events here," Dee Haslam explained. "Early, but not too early, to kind of work on the list and drive that forward but really excited about the opportunities out there."
Deshaun Watson and the quarterback competition
As the Browns approach the offseason with questions at quarterback, they will utilize the time to assess all members of the position group that currently consists of Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
"I think competition's good for all of us," Jimmy Haslam said. "We've got three guys who have been successful at various levels and let's see how the competition goes. And we have a head coach who's been very good at developing all kinds of different quarterbacks."
Jimmy Haslam added that he expects Watson to be back at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus at the beginning of their voluntary offseason workout program on April 7. Watson is returning from a season-ending Achilles injury that he sustained in Week 7 of the 2024 season and later caused him to miss the 2025 season after a re-rupture to his Achilles tendon.
"Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive minded coach who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make him successful," Jimmy Haslam said. "So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now."
Their two second-year quarterbacks in Gabriel and Sanders will have a full NFL offseason under their belts to learn the new offensive system under offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and Monken, as well as the experience of their rookie seasons. Jimmy Haslam noted, in particular, how Sanders has spent time in Cleveland during the offseason.
"He's been in Cleveland most of the winter, and I think that says a lot for his dedication to wanting to be a NFL quarterback and understanding what it takes," Jimmy Haslam said. "His body look better. I think he's been working hard. So, I think it's hard for a lot of college kids to understand what it takes to play in the NFL and particularly quarterback. I think Shedeur got an education that, and my instincts are he'll come back ready to play."
Myles Garrett's importance to the Browns
As the Haslams and the Browns remain committed to building success in Cleveland, Jimmy Haslam views DE Myles Garrett as an invaluable player included in that conversation to do so.
"I could argue that Myles is the best player in the NFL," Jimmy Haslam said. "He had his best year ever. If you know Myles, he takes phenomenal care of himself, and I think he'll remain the best player in the NFL and a top-rate defender for the next five years."
During the 2025 offseason, Garrett signed a contract extension that runs through the 2030 season, keeping the anchor of their defense for years to come. Garrett continued to demonstrate his dominance during the 2025 season, as he broke the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks and led the league with a career-high 33 tackles for loss during the regular season. He was also named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career.
Jimmy Haslam said the day after the 2025 season ended, they met with Garrett to have conversations about the offseason, the direction of the team and what they were looking for moving forward. And he believes in Garrett's commitment to the team.
"Guys like Myles Garrett do not come along very much," Jimmy Haslam said. "They just don't. They don't come along. He is a unicorn. And Myles is an integral part of what we do at the Cleveland Browns."
