DESHAUN DRAMA
QB Watson will meet with NFL officials this week, but timeline for possible punishment unclear
With Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson set to meet with NFL officials this week in Texas, some within the league believe investigators could be reaching the latter stages of the probe that has lasted more than a year.
Despite two Texas grand juries declining in March to bring charges against him, Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct during massagetherapy sessions for which he hired them.
It remains unclear when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would rule on a potential punishment, including a suspension, if Watson is ruled to have violated the league’s personal-conduct policy. Typically, however, league officials meet with players toward the end of their investigations. Depending on what Watson tells investigators, he could be the last person interviewed. But if they believe they need more clarity, officials could elect to revisit some of the subjects previously interviewed, several people familiar with the league’s practices told USA Today Sports. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to comment publicly on the matter.
Some within the league expect a ruling on Watson’s status for the 2022 season to come sometime within the next month. Others, however, caution that it’s possible that the unresolved civil suits could complicate matters and delay a decision on Watson’s availability.
The Browns acquired Watson from the Texans in March, forking over a package of picks highlighted by three first-round selections, while awarding him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. They did so without any assurances from the league that Watson would avoid disciplinary action.
The Browns and Watson hope to receive clarity on his availability before the start of training camp in late July so they can plan accordingly for the upcoming season.
The possibility remains that NFL officials abstain from handing down a suspension before the completion of the legal process. If so, Watson could wind up playing the entire 2022 season before learning what punishment he would receive from the NFL.
Watson, 26, was once regarded as one of the NFL’s brightest stars. He earned Pro Bowl honors three consecutive seasons (2018-20) and led the league in passing yards in 2020. Watson helped the Texans reach the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, but after an exasperating 2020 season, he voiced his displeasure with Texans brass and demanded a trade. The same offseason, more than 20 massage therapists accused Watson of sexual misconduct. As the grand jury and league investigations developed and the Texans refused to grant his trade requests, Watson sat out the 2021 season.