ALLEGATIONS, IMPLICATIONS
Anonymous GMs say questions surround any deal for Watson
Start with the shock across the NFL stemming from the allegations against Deshaun Watson. The disgruntled Texans quarterback with a squeaky clean image is suddenly facing separate civil suits from multiple women alleging sexual misconduct after they were hired by Watson as massage therapists.
“I hope and pray it’s not true,” an NFL general manager from a rival team told USA Today.
Another GM, same sentiment: “I hope that this is not true. This guy’s reputation has been impeccable. It’s disappointing.”
And still this, from another GM: “My first thought was, ‘Somebody’s trying to take advantage of Deshaun.’ But if they’re taking it to this level and are willing to put themselves in court, they must have something.”
As the Houston attorney representing the women, Tony Buzbee, filed four more lawsuits against Watson on Thursday night and the suits became public Friday morning, the ripple effect is intensifying — even as Watson, 25, has broadly denied wrongdoing. It is unclear whether any of the women have reported the incidents to police, or plan to do so, but Buzbee posted on Instagram on Saturday that he will submit affidavits and evidence to Houston police and the district attorney Monday. He also requested a grand jury.
USA Today spoke with the GMs of four NFL teams Thursday under the condition of anonymity to assess the damage from an evolving situation that not only threatens Watson’s image but could significantly affect his market value as the star quarterback seeks a trade after reportedly declaring that he will never play for the team again. This comes just months after Watson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension.
Watson, undoubtedly one of the NFL’s marquee faces, promised to be the center of an intriguing storyline as the new league year began Wednesday against the backdrop of his trade demand. According to one of the GMs, the Texans could be poised to attract a blockbuster offer that would include three firstround draft picks for Watson.
But now there are sordid details in the lawsuits from multiple alleged incidents that occurred in 2020, including the claim from one woman that Watson forced her to engage in oral sex during a massage session at a Houston office building.
“It puts things on pause,” one of the GMs said. “If I’m thinking of giving up three No. 1s, not right now. Not until I have some answers and get resolution.”
Another GM called it a “major wrench.”
In addition to vouching for Watson’s character Thursday, before four additional lawsuits were made public Friday morning, the GMs seemed to agree that if they were considering a bid for him, they would not be deterred at this point by the allegations. Even before the allegations surfaced, several league decision-makers expected the Watson saga could drag out until the start of the NFL Draft on April 29, given the draft-pick capital that likely would be at stake.
According to a report Saturday in the Houston Chronicle, multiple teams remain interested in Watson: the Eagles, Panthers, Jets, Dolphins, 49ers and Broncos.
Now there’s another timeline to consider, which coincides with the pace of the legal proceedings and the length and findings of the investigation the NFL has launched to determine whether there have been violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy.
“Would I still trade for him? Sure,” said one of the GMs. “I would bet on Deshaun. But we would do our due diligence on everything.”
Another of the GMs echoed such an approach, saying he would not rely solely on the NFL’s investigation. The due diligence would include the team’s own investigation that paralleled the league’s case, typical of how teams conduct background checks on draft prospects.
On Friday, Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, alluded to the situation through social media. “Sexual assault is real. Victims should be heard, offenders prosecuted,” he wrote on Twitter. “Individuals fabricate stories in pursuit of financial gain often. Their victims should be heard, and those offenders also prosecuted. I simply hope we keep this same energy with the truth.”
Watson’s talent — one of the GMs rates him as one of the NFL’s top five quarterbacks — and the premium of his position is undoubtedly one reason why the key personnel men allow for the benefit of the doubt while expressing caution.
“A guy like Deshaun at that position, obviously you’d have to be interested,” one of the GMs said. “I think I know him to be one of the class acts in the league. You try to let it run its course.”
Easier said than done.