Deshaun Watson‘s on-field performance has not matched expectations in 2024, but the more pressing storyline surrounding the Browns passer is the latest lawsuit filed against him for sexual assault. Watson’s most recent accuser is set to speak with the NFL, and a league investigation into the matter could result in another suspension.
Attorney Tony Buzbee – who is representing the woman accusing Watson of sexual assault in October 2022 and was a key figure for the plaintiffs in Watson’s original batch of lawsuits – said in a recent statement his client will cooperate with the league’s investigation noting the presence of “pertinent” video evidence. Non-league employees cannot be compelled to do so, making that development a notable one as it pertains potential discipline. Watson has (through attorney Rusty Hardin) denied the allegations and he will not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. 
While the 29-year-old is therefore free to remain in place with the Browns for the time being, the potential of a second suspension has led to renewed questions about his contract. Cleveland guaranteed all of Watson’s five-year, $230MM deal in 2022 with the expectation he would face a ban at some point. Watson was indeed sidelined for the first 11 games of the season stemming from sexual assault lawsuits (all but one of which have since been settled).
Written correspondence between the former Texan Pro Bowler’s camp and the Browns referred to the possibility of a suspension and how it would not affect the guarantees in the deal. However, as ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes, protection against a suspension only covered the 2022 and ’23 seasons. This new allegation is separate from the ones which have already been dealt with, and as a result a new suspension could allow the team to void the remaining guaranteed money ($92MM between 2025 and ’26) contained in the pact.
The Browns have restructured Watson’s contract in each of the past two years in cap-related moves, converting base salaries into signing bonuses. The most recent of those moves may have removed suspension protection entirely, Graziano adds.
Players’ salaries are affected by suspensions, so a ban being handed down in 2024 would produce minimal consequences in that regard. Given Watson’s showings when healthy during his Browns tenure, though, the possibility of getting out of the remainder of his pact would likely be enticing. A decision on that front will not be possible unless and until any league suspension is handed down, the timeline of which remains uncertain. Cleveland could be preparing for a new ban, however.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the presence of “chatter in league circles” that a personal conduct suspension could be coming, although nothing firm is in place with respect to when it could happen. Florio adds that some around the league believe the Browns are evaluating outside quarterback options, something which would become necessary in the event Watson were to miss time this year. Cleveland allowed backup Joe Flacco – who stepped in as the team’s starter after Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury – to depart in free agency. At the moment, veteran pickup Jameis Winston and 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson round out the QB depth chart.
Plenty is still to be determined in this situation, and more clarity will likely emerge once the anonymous accuser speaks with league officials. A suspension – either covering the end of the current season or a portion of future years – would be signficant for Watson and the Browns in its own respect, but if possible the team’s ability to void his remaining locked in money would of course create a major storyline.
Yung name
Cleveland is pushing for a suspension
Jameis time!
link to youtube.com Eat the W’s video!
It’s obvious that this guy is a first class piece of garbage, but the fact that leagues suspend players BEFORE lawsuits are settled is ridiculous.
Why? The NFL isn’t putting him in jail, and he has no “right” to play in the NFL, it is a privilege. Most of the time, they are suspended with pay while an investigation takes place. Letting predators play in games on TV with children watching is ridiculous.
I promise you it’s really not that difficult to avoid 26 SA allegations and accusations you really have to work hard to experience that.
What are the chances the Browns are paying her legal fees? Buyers’ remorse.
Hmmmmm
Essentially the Browns would be saying that 60 times is okay, but 61 is just to much. He shouldn’t even be playing at all because by paying these ladies he’s admitting guilt and serial sex offenders should be barred from the league. These women were just doing a legitimate job, not working at some shady “spa”, and old Deshaun “Rub and Tug” Watson decides to whip out his mini me and masturbate on them. Can you imagine someone doing that to a Walmart cashier, a nurse or a Outback waitress? If someone did that they would be in jail for years and be branded a sex offender for life. This guy gets to make millions playing football, not good football, but football with no repercussions. Toss him out and void his contract then in 40 years he can explain to his grandkids why he got kicked out of the NFL.
amen
I’m not a Cleveland fan but all these ladies coming out of nowhere is a bit suspicious. Like seriously.. where was she when all the other girls came out with claims? It’s been like 2 years. In my eyes there should be no suspension. He already served that. I’m not trying to take away from the fact that all these ladies said it happened. We all don’t know if it did. Look at the Trevor Bauer situation. The girl lied and trying to get a payday. We all do know that a massage leads to other things though.. sometimes. To me this just screams money grab. Someone who is getting $230+ million guaranteed she thinks she’ll be an instant millionaire. Did she recently lose her job? Can she afford her rent and bills? Why 3 years later? Why 2 years after the last person? Again I’m not defending Watson but he served his suspension. This isn’t new
Blaming the victim and asking questions like this is why women are hesitant to come forward, and then you ask why they hesitated. I’m sure that when you are the victim of a sexual crime, you will report it in just the right way and just the right timing.
So, I know three female friends who are legitimate massage therapists, so NO, one does not always lead to the other. If someone did that to one of these women he would be singing soprano for the rest of his life. Is there as statute of limitations? There could be more lawsuits Just because one woman decided not to be bought out doesn’t limit her ability to sue him. In a class action lawsuit you can join or pursue your own case. He’s obviously a scumbag who was not taught proper manners around women. Or would it be okay for him to whip it out for your sister, wife, daughter? You know how women are, just a bunch of teasers. (This is sarcasm people)
You were probably better off not saying anything. You wouldn’t look as dumb as you did by typing this response.
Truth hurt? Maybe you don’t understand manners and decorum either. He should be arrested and jailed just like any sex offender should be. If you don’t believe that I can’t help you.
If Browns were smart they’d try n get em for personal conduct code in contract language. Like a magic potion getting Cleveland out from under that behemoth contract n lose that headache once n for all. But we are talking about Browns n he is their boy.
“if the browns were smart”…….. they wouldn’t have made a historic trade/deal for a serial sex offender in the first place? if they were smart, or at least had a quarter of a brain
It would be good for him to finally have a suspension that actually cost him money after the contract shenanigans he and the Browns pulled to avoid that before. It would make the team better too.
It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes,
To know what is coming for
WATSON.
What I still don’t get is why? He’s got millions upon millions, dude could have his pick on tinder.
a predator/deviant with millions is still a predator/deviant
1) Suspension
2) Void contract
3) Cut from team
4) Fire Andrew Berry, because he pushed for this albatross of a contract
You can do far worse than having Jameis Winston as your starting QB once Watson is suspended and his contract voided.
Winston steals seafood like Ricky and Julian steal meat