A report emerged last month claiming that the Cleveland Browns were “still intact” on quarterback Deshaun Watson despite numerous allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions hovering over him, and then Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio confirmed that Watson’s March transaction with Cleveland was a done and irrevocable agreement.
Since that time, Watson’s legal team has achieved settlements with 20 of the 24 plaintiffs suing him, and the 26-year-old was complete A hearing before league discipline official Sue L. Robinson will help determine his status for at least the upcoming season.
For a mailing bag published on Wednesday morning, Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com addressed a new question about whether the Browns could void the fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million contract they Awards Watson this spring.
“I heard the only way the Browns could void Watson’s contract was if he had more problems off the pitch after his new Cleveland contract was signed,” Pluto explained. “Whatever happened to Houston prior to the Cleveland trade doesn’t negate the deal.
“Watson is an ‘as is’ acquisition. No one forced the Browns to bid on him and give him the highest guaranteed contract in NFL history. That’s their decision.”
Interesting, one claim is made in a lawsuit referred to on June 27 states: “It is known that in many of Watson’s massage interactions, more than massage therapy occurred – indeed, with at least thirty other women together, ‘more’ happens to include unwanted sexual advances and outright sexual assault by Watson.”
It’s unclear whether filing any new lawsuits will allow the Browns to explore the signal caller’s contract cancellation or if they even want to do so at this point.
Robinson’s verdict on Watson’s possible suspension is not expected as early as next week. The Jacoby Brissett fallback will rise to the top of the depth leaderboard if Watson becomes ineligible to play.
Watson has denied any wrongdoing, and two grand juries refused to prosecute him for criminal charges.
