Deshaun Watson has a new home in the NFL. After days of deliberation and meeting with several prospective teams, the now-former Texans quarterback decided to waive his no-trade clause on Friday to join the Cleveland Browns. Houston sent Watson and a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024 along with a 2023 third-rounder and a 2024 fourth-round selection. Cleveland also inked Watson to a new five-year, $230 million deal that is fully guaranteed.
Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits and an NFL investigation that could result in a suspension. Shortly after the trade was announced, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy released the following statement:
“Any transaction would have no effect on the NFL’s ongoing and comprehensive investigation of the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson. Nor would it affect his status under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy.
“If the league’s investigation determines that Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy, discipline may be imposed pursuant to the policy and the CBA.”
ESPN’s Sarah Spain took it a step further in her assessment of Watson and the Browns trading for him.
“The Browns wanted an “adult” to “lead” their team, so they went with a guy currently facing 22 allegations of sexual assault & harassment, who demanded a trade & threatened to sit rather than play for his previous team (even before accusations sidelined him) & might be suspended.”
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“Let’s start w/ the basic facts some of you seem willing to ignore: An NFL QB eschewed expert league/team massage therapists in favor of searching for them on instagram, then went to AT LEAST 50 different therapists, some unlicensed, one of whom was an ESTHETICIAN, not a masseuse.”
“You conspiracy theorists really don’t hear how stupid you sound claiming 20+ women (including some not filing suit) were hired ’cause the team was mad at Watson… so he’d be under investigation while they tried to get a good trade for him? Causing him to sit on the books a year?”
“Also interested to hear whether the Browns spoke to any of his accusers before making the deal. We often hear that teams have “fully vetted” or “properly investigated” accused athletes, only to learn they’ve only spoken to friends & family. See: Winston.”
A grand jury declined to indict Watson last Friday, which eliminated the greatest threat to his reputation and his career. But the behavior of which Watson is accused remains extremely disturbing, which is what Spain is alluding to.
Watson hasn’t played since the 2020 season after being accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct. The Texans paid Watson for the 2021 season, but he was inactive for every game last season.
Could Watson be scared straight from this situation? We truly do not know and it’s the wait-and-see that makes the situation ever so scary.
Not to mention, a second Grand Jury is considering a charge against him.
Watson, the Texans’ 2017 first-round pick, has thrown for 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions with 14,539 yards and a 67.8 completion percentage.
