The NFL is no longer investigating Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson following an assault claim filed against him in September.
Watson faced allegations of assault from a woman in Texas, who was seeking over $1 million in damages. Her attorney, Tony Buzbee, represented the client and planned to meet with the NFL to discuss the allegations. However, the source of the allegations and Watson’s representation reached a confidential settlement in October.
The NFL has now concluded its investigation, and will not suspend or fine Watson. “The matter is closed,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday in a statement to the Associated Press. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.”
According to Pro Football Talk, the dropped investigation means it’s likely that the NFL was unable to obtain sufficient evidence from Watson’s accuser. Watson has strongly denied the allegations through his attorney, Rusty Hardin.
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“We are delighted to put this issue behind us so that Deshaun can concentrate on recovering from his injury and preparing for next season,” Hardin said in a statement. The allegations made in September were separate to the 22 civil lawsuits that Watson faced earlier in his NFL career.
Following those accusations, the NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him a record $5 million. The quarterback was also made to undergo an evaluation by behavioral experts and complete a treatment program.
Watson faced those allegations while playing for the Houston Texans, but was dealt in a trade to the Browns on March 18, 2022. The blockbuster trade saw Cleveland send first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, plus a third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024.
The Watson trade has backfired for the Cleveland Browns. (
Getty Images)
As part of that trade, Watson was handed a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns, which was the largest contract and most guaranteed money in NFL history. The move has backfired for Cleveland, as Watson has only made 19 starts for the Browns since signing the $230M contract, and has a 9-10 record as a starter. Watson ruptured his Achilles earlier this season and has been placed on IR with a season-ending injury for the second year running.
The NFL closing its investigation means that Watson’s contract is no longer at risk, and he will receive $46 million for each of the final two years of the deal. Veteran quarterback and former first-overall pick, Jameis Winston, has replaced Watson as the Browns’ starter this season. .
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