Deshaun Watson

NFL Aiming To Avoid Appeal In Deshaun Watson Case?

June 29th, 2022 at 1:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

1:02pm: If Robinson does hand Watson a six- or eight-game suspension, the NFL’s patience might be tested. Refuting the AP’s report, Cabot notes the NFL would not accept such a ban if that was Robinson’s decision. A league appeal would follow. Considering the consistency associated with the NFL’s punishment aim — a year-long suspension or an indefinite ban that covers all of the 2022 season — it is not surprising the league would use an appeal to secure it. This hearing may last into Thursday night, Cabot adds.

9:31am: The Deshaun Watson hearing will continue Wednesday in Delaware, and Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes it could drag into Thursday. While a decision from disciplinary officer Sue Robinson is expected this week, post-hearing measures could further extend this drawn-out process.

An appeal from either the NFL or NFLPA would move this well into July, but the league is aiming to avoid such a move, according to The Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi (on Twitter). This could mean accepting a Watson punishment lighter than the NFL’s targeted year-long ban.

The league has the back-pocket tool of Roger Goodell (or someone the commissioner chooses) presiding over an appeal, which would enable the NFL to ultimately achieve its desired punishment goal. But the league would prefer to abide by Robinson’s decision, even if it means Watson is banned for only six or eight games, Maaddi adds.

Given how long the Watson saga has been a headache for the league and considering the combination of reports and additional accusations to emerge after the quarterback’s 2022 trade to the Browns, a six- or eight-game suspension might not be viewed as sufficient. But a ban that allows Watson to play in the season’s second half appears on the table, though it is not known if Robinson will be on board with a compromise that appeases the NFLPA.

The NFL leaking its desire to not appeal could be perceived as a tactic to prompt Robinson to impose some form discipline, rather than deeming Watson did not violate the personal conduct policy at all (which would negate an NFL appeal effort), Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk offers, noting the league could then appeal. Members of the league office have voiced opinions Watson should not be allowed to play until at least 2023, Florio adds.

That said, if Robinson agrees with the NFL that Watson should not be permitted to play in 2022, Cabot adds the NFLPA will appeal. The NFL, which interviewed 11 of Watson’s accusers and spoke with women who did not file suit against him, views Watson’s behavior during massage sessions as a “disturbing pattern,” Cabot notes. A New York Times report earlier this month indicated Watson received massages from at least 66 women from fall 2019 to spring 2021. Nearly 30 have accused him of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, with the Texans now being hit with suits. Although two grand juries did not indict the Pro Bowl QB, the NFL’s personal conduct policy does not require charges for suspensions to commence.

NFL, NFLPA Far Apart On Deshaun Watson Suspension Length

June 28th, 2022 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sue Robinson, the jointly appointed disciplinary officer in the Deshaun Watson case, began hearing from the NFL, NFLPA and Watson’s camp Tuesday. The league and the union entered the hearing at extreme ends of the punishment spectrum.

The NFL’s stance of a year-long suspension — or an indefinite ban that could extend beyond 2022 — has been circulated for several days now. The NFLPA is attempting to argue Watson should not be suspended, per USA Today’s Josina Anderson and the Washington Post’s Mark Maske (Twitter links). If Robinson rules Watson’s actions did not violate the NFL’s personal conduct policy, leading to no missed games, the NFL cannot appeal, Maske adds. That scenario has long been seen as extremely unlikely.

This gap led to settlement talks breaking off. Those discussions producing an agreement would have removed the appeal component from these proceedings. Absent a negotiated punishment, the sides are making their arguments to Robinson. The hearing has wrapped for the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It is expected to continue Wednesday, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports notes (on Twitter), and Robinson’s decision is expected this week. With a prime news-dump window Friday, ahead of a holiday weekend, it would not surprise if the initial Watson ruling came down then.

Although 24 women filed civil lawsuits against Watson over the past 15 months, alleging sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, a Monday report indicated the NFL was planning to center its case on five of those accusers’ accounts. Two of the accusers were among the 10 women to make criminal complaints against Watson, Anderson adds (via Twitter). Neither the Harris Country nor Brazoria County (Texas) grand juries brought charges against the recently traded quarterback. Watson has denied all wrongdoing, but that has not stopped an avalanche of turmoil from engulfing him, the Browns and the Texans over the past three months. This probably being the NFL’s top offseason storyline has certainly not been a good look for the league.

Once Robinson issues a ruling, an appeal — from the NFL or NFLPA — can commence. The 2020 CBA changed league disciplinary measures, but the NFL handling the Watson appeal still allows for one side to wield a fair amount of power here. Roger Goodell can oversee the appeal or pass it along to someone else within the league’s power structure, USA Today’s Mike Jones notes (video link). While the NFL could opt to ensure Watson is shelved for the entire 2022 season via appeal, the league may not want to undercut Robinson’s decision — a historic case and the first to be heard by a neutral arbitrator.

Robinson meeting the parties halfway, via an eight- or 10-game ban or an indefinite suspension that leaves the door open for Watson to return this season, may have been more likely before the additional lawsuits and the expansive New York Times report detailing this saga surfaced in recent weeks. May’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel segment and the ensuing NYT story also led to the Texans being included in existing civil lawsuits and hit with a separate suit. That latest lawsuit also said “at least 30” women have alleged sexual misconduct against Watson during massage therapy sessions. Twenty of the initial 24 civil accusers settled with Watson, but the suit against the Texans leaves open the possibility more will come forward.

But with this being a restructured setup compared to the league’s major scandals during the 2010s, it cannot be assumed Robinson will lean toward a harsh ban. That said, Watson’s side, which has seen the quarterback’s off-field troubles escalate rather than die down since his trade to the Browns, has been expecting a significant punishment for a bit now. The initial decision should be known within days.

NFL Push For Year-Long Deshaun Watson Ban Ended Settlement Talks

June 27th, 2022 at 6:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Disciplinary officer Sue Robinson will hear arguments from the NFL, NFLPA and Deshaun Watson‘s camp Tuesday. That will precede an initial decision on the punishment, if any, the veteran quarterback will receive ahead of his first Browns season.

But the NFL or NFLPA can appeal Robinson’s verdict. That appeal would be decided by the league, which is believed to be pushing for a significant suspension. The league and the union entered settlement talks about a Watson punishment earlier this month, but those negotiations broke down. The NFL’s push for a year-long Watson ban is believed to have led to the parties shutting down the settlement talks, Albert Breer of SI.com reports.

The NFL has met with several of the women who have accused Watson of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, and the league will focus on five of those cases when it makes its case to Robinson, Breer hears. The five accusers with the most evidence to include in a presentation — from texts to social media messages to payment records, etc. — will be prioritized, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com notes.

The league has been connected to pushing for an indefinite suspension of Watson — one the Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Beaton notes would be for at least a year. This would help give the NFL an avenue to keep Watson suspended into 2023 based on new civil lawsuits. This would stop the league from having to suspend Watson twice, a prospect that was loosely floated earlier this offseason. The league has also spoken with women who did not sue the quarterback, Breer adds.

A civil suit against the Texans surfaced Monday. It came from one of the four women who has not settled her own suit against the former Houston quarterback. The lawsuit against Watson’s former team reopens the door to additional suits against him.

“It is now known that in many of Watson’s multiple massage interactions, more than massage therapy occurred — indeed, with at least thirty different women, the ‘more’ that occurred included unwanted sexual advances and outright sexual assault by Watson,” the suit states, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “Each of those thirty-plus women, most of which are complete strangers to one another, experienced strikingly similar conduct from Watson.”

Twenty of the QB’s 24 accusers have settled. More women coming forward with accusations would put the proceedings in a murky place, if Robinson’s decision and/or an appeal lead to Watson not receiving an indefinite suspension.

First Deshaun Watson-Linked Case Filed Against Texans

June 27th, 2022 at 11:02am CST by Adam La Rose

The Deshaun Watson situation is set to begin its next phase tomorrow, but there has also been a significant development in another aspect of the ongoing saga. Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing Watson’s accusers, has issued a statement that the first case against the Texans related to Watson’s alleged sexual misconduct has been filed (Twitter link via ESPN’s Jake Trotter). Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today reports that the suit is being filed by one of the women suing Watson who has yet to settle her case against him.

The statement indicates that this case is “the first of what will likely be many” filed against the team. “Suffice it to say,” it continues, “the overwhelming evidence collected indicating that the Houston Texans enabled Watson’s behavior is incredibly damning. We believe the Texans knew or most certainly should have known of Watson’s conduct.”

It came out earlier this month that Watson’s former employer would be included in the litigation he is facing. The Texans are being brought into focus as a result of their alleged actions to facilitate Watson’s message sessions, including providing him accommodation at the Houstonian Hotel as well as non-disclosure agreements to bring to those sessions. The timing of these alleged actions (which are detailed in the New York Times report that shed further light on the scope of Watson’s behavior) is significant, as the suit argues that the Texans were aware of Watson soliciting massages online as early as June 2020 (Twitter link via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports).

Per USA Today’s Josina Anderson, (on Twitter), the Texans have released a statement in response to today’s development: “We are aware of the lawsuit filed against us today. Since March 2021, we have fully supported and complied with law enforcement and the various investigations. We will continue to take the necessary steps to address the allegations against our organization.”

As Trotter illustrates, the new suit also contradicts the Browns’ claims of conducting due diligence on Watson before agreeing to trade for and extend him (Twitter link). It has already been reported that the Browns are not looking to void the 26-year-old’s deal, leaving them fully committed to him, even if he is suspended for the 2022 campaign.

More will be learned on that front as early as tomorrow, but regardless of the punishment handed down to Watson individually, the Texans are apparently in line for a significant legal battle of their own.

Deshaun Watson’s Disciplinary Hearing Scheduled

June 26th, 2022 at 8:11am CST by Rory Parks

The disciplinary hearing for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is set to begin on Tuesday, June 28, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports. The matter will be heard by Sue L. Robinson, who served as a judge in the Unites States District Court for the District of Delaware for over 25 years. Robinson was jointly appointed by the league and the NFLPA, although commissioner Roger Goodell would handle any appeal of the discipline that Robinson imposes.

As we have learned, the league will be pushing for a lengthy suspension, and Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network hears that an indefinite ban may be the NFL’s goal. One potential problem there is that the league was unable to speak with a significant number of the 26 women who have levied accusations against Watson, so its case will be based upon the testimony of only a fraction of those women. It’s important to note, however, that Goodell would also hear the league’s appeal if it feels Robinson’s punishment is too light.

The NFL and NFLPA, along with Watson’s advisors, attempted to negotiate a suspension before the hearing, although the parties were unable to agree to suspension length. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, it is unlikely that those negotiations will be revived (Florio adds in a separate piece that the NFL was insisting upon a one-year ban in its talks with the union).

Another key piece of the Watson saga, of course, is his contract. When additional lawsuits were filed against the quarterback after he became a member of the Browns, it seemed possible that Cleveland could attempt to void Watson’s fully-guaranteed deal, though a report at the time suggested that the club had no such intentions. Andrew Brandt of SI.com, citing a league source, says that the money to be paid over first two years of the pact — 2022 and 2023 — are not subject to forfeiture anyway.

Per Brandt, the Browns could attempt to void the final three years of the contract for “new misbehavior” that triggers league discipline. And while it might seem that the lawsuits filed after Cleveland authorized the Watson deal in March would qualify as “new misbehavior,” Brandt is not so sure. The former Packers exec points out that the allegations contained in the most recent suits are consistent with those in the suits that the Browns already knew about, so if they were to try and back out of the deal, they would be facing a grievance that might prove difficult to win.

As for the more immediate disciplinary matter, Robinson’s decision is expected to be made no later than the beginning of training camp, although Schefter says it could be handed down within a week of the end of the hearing. As Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets, if Robinson feels there was no violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy, then there will not only be no suspension, but the NFL could not take an appeal; Watson would simply be free to play. In light of everything we have heard to this point, such a finding seems unlikely.

NFL, NFLPA Attempted To Negotiate Deshaun Watson Punishment?

June 23rd, 2022 at 12:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

A lengthy Deshaun Watson suspension is believed to be coming soon, but the Browns continue to wait for that news to emerge. A full-season ban has become a real possibility for the quarterback who was accused by 24 women of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault.

An independent officer, Sue Robinson, will decide on Watson’s discipline. That ruling is expected to happen before the Browns begin training camp. But Roger Goodell would handle an appeal. However, the NFL, NFLPA and Watson advisors entered talks about a negotiated punishment, Josina Anderson of USA Today tweets.

If a negotiated ban came to pass, Watson would waive his appeal right. These talks, however, broke down because the parties were not on the same page regarding suspension length, Anderson adds. This will keep the process moving toward Robinson’s decision.

If Robinson’s decision does not meet with NFLPA approval, the union plans to use recent punishments for teams and owners (or lack thereof) in its appeal. The NFLPA would cite NFL treatment of Dan Snyder, Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones in its Watson appeal, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes.

The NFL is believed to have changed its plans regarding what information was made public in its investigation into Snyder and the Commanders, which wrapped in 2021. That probe did not produce a written report of the league’s findings, leading to Congress becoming involved. The NFL fined the franchise $10MM, and Snyder gave up day-to-day operations. However, his involvement with the team since has been in question. Kraft pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution in connection with a January 2018 incident at a spa. The Patriots owner’s case was later dismissed, and no NFL punishment came down. The Cowboys paid a confidential $2.4MM settlement after four cheerleaders accused the team’s former senior vice president for public relations and communications, Rich Dalrymple, of voyeurism in the team’s locker room during a 2015 event at AT&T Stadium. The NFL did not investigate the Cowboys.

These arguments would bring other teams into the Browns’ controversy. The union believes its strategy would be more effective since the 2020 CBA moved Goodell further away from disciplinary matters, Florio adds. But with the NFL overseeing an appeal, it is unclear how much traction they will have considering both the volume of accusations levied against Watson and the league’s apparent hope for a year-long suspension.

Watson, who was not charged in connection with these accusations and has denied all wrongdoing, settled 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits against him this week. The NFL said that will not impact his potential punishment. The settlements will prevent Watson from going through most of his suits next year, which would take the prospect of the commissioner’s exempt list — something Goodell has already said would not apply here — completely off the table. If Watson were to miss 2022 games, it would only happen because of a suspension.

Deshaun Watson Settles 20 Of 24 Lawsuits

June 21st, 2022 at 10:52am CST by Adam La Rose

The case of Deshaun Watson and his ongoing legal battle has taken a significant turn. As detailed by Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, the Browns quarterback has settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him.

Tony Buzbee, the attorney for the plaintiffs suing Watson for sexual assault and sexual misconduct, released a statement which reads in part, “Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled. We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed.”

Buzbee understandably adds that the details of the settlements will remain confidential. Still, this is a substantial development for the embattled QB, whose arrival in Cleveland has been overshadowed by the ongoing litigation he faces and the subsequent league discipline he is expected to receive as a result.

Of the four remaining suits, one is that brought forward by Ashley Solis, the first to be filed against Watson. Buzbee confirmed that he and his legal team still plan to proceed with her case, which began the sequence of events including Watson’s trade to Cleveland (and record-breaking new contract) after two grand juries decided not to bring forth criminal charges. It is unclear at this point if the two plaintiffs who most recently filed suits against Watson (something which briefly called into question the matter of the fully-guaranteed money in his deal) are among the other three who have not reached settlement agreements.

The league had been expected to hand down a “significant” suspension in the near future, and while this news stands to significantly reduce Watson’s 2023 court time, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the settlements have no bearing on potential league discipline (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The Browns had a lengthy ban in mind when they structured Watson’s contract, lowering his 2022 pay to just $1MM.

A potentially lessened punishment for Watson would have a significant domino effect on the Browns. The team still faces the possibility of playing the entire 2022 campaign without its highly paid quarterback, but clarity could soon be coming with respect to the length of his absence in the wake of this development. In that case, Cleveland could be better positioned to execute a Baker Mayfield trade, which has been forthcoming for months now.

Deshaun Watson’s Camp, NFLPA Expecting Lengthy Suspension For Browns QB

June 17th, 2022 at 1:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although two more women have filed civil lawsuits against Deshaun Watson since the Browns traded for him, the NFL was on the homestretch of its lengthy investigation prior to those suits emerging. Watson’s camp is expecting a “significant” suspension, according to Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

While careful not to predict a precise punishment, a source informed Maske the NFL will likely seek a year-long suspension. A league presentation on the case to the NFLPA and Watson’s representatives has led the union to expect a lengthy ban. The NFL’s punishment may indeed be near, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting the NFLPA is bracing for an “unprecedented” ban in this case. The steady stream of Watson news to emerge since the trade has become a concern for NFL higher-ups, per Florio, who adds some in the league office do not believe Watson should be cleared to play until these issues are resolved.

The prospect of Watson being sidelined throughout the course of the civil suits does not seem realistic, based on Roger Goodell‘s comments this spring and his handling of the situation since the lawsuits began to emerge in March 2021. The NFL did not place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list last year, relying on the Texans to deactivate their former starter for all 17 games. Watson’s 2021 trade request and the Texans’ rebuilding approach last season also contributed to the team’s decision to deactivate the Pro Bowler.

The Browns almost certainly would not follow suit, considering the historic compensation package they sent to the Texans for Watson and the record-shattering contract they authorized upon doing so. Citing conversations with the NFLPA, Goodell said after a second Texas grand jury did not recommend charges against Watson he would not be placed on the exempt list. That opens the door to Watson receiving punishment this year and when the civil suits eventually conclude. Cleveland’s front office structured Watson’s contract — perhaps the most divisive deal in modern NFL history — in a way to protect him from a 2022 suspension, giving him a mere $1MM salary this season.

The timeline for Watson’s civil suits also would make the prospect of Watson being banned until they are resolved unlikely. After August 1, the civil suits will pause until March 1, 2023. Both Watson’s legal team and the Tony Buzbee-led attorney for the plaintiffs agreed on that timeline. Parking Watson on paid leave until these suits are all resolved runs the risk of the embattled QB being sidelined into the 2023 season, due to the high number of women who have accused him of sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault.

Since the 24th accuser’s suit surfaced, a New York Times report added more detail and startling number to this saga. The report indicated Watson received massages from at least 66 women between fall 2019 and spring 2021. In the days since, Watson news has continued to circulate. Houston police detective Kamesha Baker said during a recent civil deposition she believed Watson committed sexual assault, USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer notes. Ten women filed criminal complaints against Watson, but they did not lead to charges. Two of those 10 accusers are not part of the ongoing civil cases. Prior to these news items coming out, the NFL had concluded its meetings with Watson. It is possible the league had all of this information beforehand. If not, more meetings could ensue, further muddying this saga.

Independent arbitrator Sue Robinson will render the punishment, and the NFL would handle an appeal. The NFLPA would move to defend Watson during an appeal process — one Maske notes the NFL wants completed by the time the Browns report to training camp July 27. Watson has continued to deny all wrongdoing and said as much again this week from Browns minicamp, but the sixth-year veteran faces the prospect of missing back-to-back seasons.

Deshaun Watson’s Decision Swayed Jadeveon Clowney’s Free Agency Choice

June 16th, 2022 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns acquiring Deshaun Watson via trade has become one of the most controversial moves in modern NFL history. The talented quarterback’s off-field issues have intensified since he chose Cleveland as his trade destination, but that choice did go a long way toward bringing Myles Garrett‘s 2021 edge-rushing sidekick back.

Jadeveon Clowney said Thursday that Watson’s decision made a significant impact on his own, indicating (via 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima; video link) he would probably have joined the Falcons had Watson selected Atlanta as his next team. Prior to Clowney’s team-hopping run of recent years, he and Watson were Texans teammates from 2017-18.

Clowney and Watson spoke during the QB’s four-team trade sweepstakes, and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) Clowney gave Cleveland a strong endorsement. While the $230MM guaranteed the Browns came back to the table with provided the clincher for the embattled passer, Clowney offering Browns praise provides some breadcrumbs ahead of the defensive end’s own decision.

“We stayed in touch through that whole thing about coming here,” Clowney said, via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “If he come, then I come. I told him if he goes, I’ll follow him up here. I’ll go back. That’s what it came down to.”

A late-March report indicated Watson spoke with Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette about potentially playing together with the Falcons. Browns GM Andrew Berry‘s idea to fully guarantee Watson’s contract changed those plans, and the Falcons — who traded Matt Ryan shortly after Watson was dealt to the Browns — have shifted toward a full-scale rebuild.

Cleveland re-signed Clowney on a one-year, $10MM deal that features $9.25MM fully guaranteed. Garrett lobbied extensively to bring Clowney back. That stands to help the Browns’ defense, though the one-year commitment is interesting in this case. While Clowney’s injury history has damaged his hopes of scoring a long-term deal, Watson factoring into his free agency choice this year may provide a letdown. With the sixth-year veteran QB facing 24 civil lawsuits and counting, a lengthy suspension is expected. This Browns season stands to feature an extensive stretch in which Watson is away from the team, leading to Jacoby Brissett being favored to take many of the team’s snaps this year.

Watson potentially being ticketed to play a full season in 2023 could again influence Clowney’s next commitment. The injury-prone former No. 1 overall pick played 14 games last season, recording nine sacks. Another healthy season would increase Clowney’s market value in 2023, should he not sign a Browns extension before the next league year begins.

Latest On Browns, Deshaun Watson’s Contract

June 10th, 2022 at 12:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of new civil lawsuits being filed against him, the matter of guaranteed compensation in Deshaun Watson‘s contract has come into question. In response to the potential uncertainty, the team remains fully committed to the beleaguered quarterback.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the team is not looking to void his contract – a fully-guaranteed, $230MM deal signed upon his trade from the Texans. The possibility of the Browns considering doing so came up not long after a 24th suit was filed, adding to the allegations made against him which are separate from the initial 22 in place at the time the contract was signed.

As Cabot details, however, “nothing has transpired… that has caused the Browns to change their view of Watson” in a way which would lead them to try and void the contract. In much the same vein, she further states that the team is not currently looking to nullify the trade with Houston that saw six total picks (including three first-rounders) sent to the Texans.

“The Browns and all of us that know Deshaun are still totally behind him” as stated by his attorney, Rusty Hardin. “These latest claims by [plaintiffs’ attorney Tony] Buzbee change nothing, and they are totally false, and that will ultimately be what everyone concludes when they hear the evidence.”

The ongoing lawsuits Watson faces – which now include the Texans as well – will be paused until the conclusion of the upcoming NFL season, barring settlement deals being made. A suspension is expected to be handed down sometime in July, though the door remains open to further punishment, pending the outcome of the civil trials. For now, at least, the Browns are prepared to move forward with Watson as their franchise signal-caller, regardless of the backlash associated with doing so.

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