Watson reports to Browns for first offseason program

CLEVELAND » Deshaun Watson walked through snow on the way to his first day of work with the Browns. Baker Mayfield was nowhere in sight.

Watson reported to Cleveland’s offseason program Tuesday to restart his career with the Browns, who mortgaged their shortterm future by acquiring the controversial quarterback accused of sexual misconduct in a trade last month.

With temperatures in the 30s and late-spring snow falling, the former Houston QB arrived at the team’s facility in Berea, Ohio. The Browns posted a photo on Twitter of Watson, wearing a heavy winter jacket, before he entered the building.

One of the reasons the three-time Pro Bowler and Georgia native, who played at Clemson in South Carolina, initially turned down the Browns before changing his mind was because of Northeast Ohio’s frigid, wintry weather.

Watson lost the one game he played in Cleveland with the Texans as howling winds made it almost impossible to throw.

He’ll have months to acclimate.

The Browns convinced Watson to join him and then traded three firstround draft picks and six selections overall in March to Houston for the 26-yearold, who faces 22 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday. Watson is not expected to take any reporter’s questions.

Watson also faces discipline from the NFL, which is investigating whether he violated the league’s personal-conduct policy. It’s possible he’ll be suspended for part of the 2022 season.