Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games, fined $5 million after NFL and NFLPA reach settlement | CNN (2024)

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games, fined $5 million after NFL and NFLPA reach settlement | CNN (1)

Earlier this year, the Cleveland Browns traded three first-round picks for Deshaun Watson and then signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money in NFL history.

CNN

The NFL and the NFL Players Association have agreed to suspend Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for 11 regular season games without pay and fine him $5 million after he was accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women.

Watson will undergo “a professional evaluation by behavioral experts and will follow their treatment program,” according to the agreement.

“I’m moving on with my career and my life, and I’m going to continue to stand on my innocence,” Watson told the media Thursday. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, doesn’t mean that person is guilty for anything.”

He added, “I feel like the person has the opportunity to stand on his innocence, and prove that, and we proved that on the legal side, and we’ve just got to continue to push forward as an individual and as a person.”

Twenty-four civil lawsuits were filed against Watson; 23 have been settled confidentially. Two grand juries in Texas declined to charge Watson criminally.

Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy in private meetings with massage therapists while he was with the Houston Texans. League commissioner Roger Goodell called Watson’s behavior “egregious” and “predatory.”

‘Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance’

Susan “Dee” Haslam, co-owner of the Browns, on Thursday vowed to invest $1 million “towards educating youth for awareness of sexual misconduct.”

“We as an organization and as individuals, we have tremendous empathy for the women involved and we have an opportunity to make a difference in this community,” she told reporters.

Her husband and team co-owner, Jimmy Haslam, said, “People deserve second chances.”

BEREA, OH - JUNE 14: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during the Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 14, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images Related article NFL, wanting a harsher penalty, says it will appeal Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's 6-game suspension

“Is he never supposed to play again? Is he never supposed to be part of society? Does he get no chance to rehabilitate himself? And that’s what we’re going to do,” he said, referring to Watson.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t have empathy for people affected and we will continue to do so,” he added. “We believe that Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.”

The NFL had previously announced that it would appeal a decision by former federal judge Sue L. Robinson to sit Watson without pay for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy when he was with the Houston Texans.

The league had been pushing for at least a full-season suspension instead.

Goodell stated Thursday: “Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL.

“This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a significant fine, and a more substantial suspension.”

In her written ruling, Robinson cited Watson’s “lack of expressed remorse” as a factor in the discipline that she chose.

The Browns QB released a statement on Thursday saying in part: “I’m grateful that the disciplinary process has ended and extremely appreciative of the tremendous support I have received throughout my short time with the Browns organization.

“I apologize once again for any pain this situation has caused. I take accountability for the decisions I made.”

The interview, which took place before the game, was shared by the Browns and conducted by Aditi Kinkhabwala. From Cleveland Browns Related article Deshaun Watson says he's 'truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted'

Prior to the settlement, Watson was awaiting the ruling from former New Jersey Attorney General and federal prosecutor Peter Harvey, who was named as Goodell’s designee to hear the appeal.

Watson did not play last season while a member of the Texans. Watson did play in the Browns first preseason game last week.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Thursday that Watson will not play in the team’s final two preseason games. Backup Jacoby Brissett will start in place of Watson until he is eligible to return on December 4.

According to the NFL, Watson would be eligible to play in week 13, against his former team the Texans.

“I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted in this situation,” Watson said in an interview before Friday’s preseason game in Florida against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “My decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I am going to keep pushing forward.”

Before the short interview, Watson repeatedly denied allegations of misconduct, including sexual assault and harassment involving more than two dozen women. He did not elaborate in the interview on what he meant when he said “this situation.”

A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson did not play last season with the Texans because of a trade demand as well as the investigations into these allegations.

Earlier this year, the Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson and then signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money in NFL history.

CNN’s Matt Foster and Homero De La Fuente contributed to this report.

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games, fined $5 million after NFL and NFLPA reach settlement | CNN (2024)

FAQs

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games, fined $5 million after NFL and NFLPA reach settlement | CNN? ›

In 2022, the NFL and the NFLPA agreed to suspend Watson for 11 regular season games without pay and fine him $5 million after at least 24 civil lawsuits were filed on behalf of women alleging the quarterback sexually harassed or assaulted them during private massage appointments while he was playing for the Texans.

Why was Deshaun Watson fined $5 million? ›

Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, will be suspended for 11 games and pay a record $5 million fine after the N.F.L. appealed what many thought was a lenient six-game suspension for accusations by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct in massage appointments.

How much guaranteed money did Deshaun Watson get from the Browns? ›

Not only did Cleveland trade three first-round picks to add the quarterback, but they immediately signed him to an unprecedented fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. Two years later, the partnership hasn't exactly gone as planned.

Do the Browns have to pay Deshaun Watson? ›

Deshaun Watson's contract with the Cleveland Browns is very straightforward but also unique. Signed in the spring of 2022 as part of the trade that sent Watson from Houston to Cleveland, the deal pays Watson $230 million over five years -- exactly $46 million each year, fully guaranteed.

How much did Deshaun Watson pay his accuser? ›

The cases have settled, but the amounts are confidential. We speculate here on the terms of the Watson settlement agreement with these women. Our estimated settlement value for the Deshaun Watson civil lawsuits is between $1.5 to $2.5 million for each plaintiff for a total of $33-55 million.

Why did Watson have 11-game suspension? ›

Watson's alleged predatory behavior during massage sessions, documented in 24 civil lawsuits (one of which has not been settled), is the basis for his punishment. The league took over a year to investigate, during which time Watson could have played for the Texans.

Is Deshaun Watson still getting paid? ›

Watson signed a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract with the Browns following a trade with the Houston Texans in 2022.

How did Browns get Deshaun Watson? ›

Cleveland sent six draft picks, including three first-rounders, Houston's way in exchange for Watson: A 2022 first-round pick (13th) A 2022 fourth-round pick (104) A 2023 first-round pick (12)

What is the Watson's deal? ›

Watson signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract extension after he was traded to the Browns in 2022. The deal runs through 2026.

What is the cap hit for Watson? ›

In 2024, Watson carries a cap hit of $27,942,678, according to Spotrac data. That's by far the most on the team, ahead of defensive stalwart Garrett who sits slightly above $20 million. Watson's dead cap value (a charge for a player if they're still owed money and are no longer on the roster) is more than $200 million.

How many games has Watson started for the Browns? ›

A 2022 suspension and a shoulder injury last season have limited Watson to only 12 starts with the Browns, in which he has averaged just 14.4 points per game and completed 59.8% of his passes.

What did Deshaun Watson do to get that fine? ›

In 2022, the NFL and the NFLPA agreed to suspend Watson for 11 regular season games without pay and fine him $5 million after at least 24 civil lawsuits were filed on behalf of women alleging the quarterback sexually harassed or assaulted them during private massage appointments while he was playing for the Texans.

What did Watson on the Browns do? ›

Daniel Oyefusi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN.

What is the controversy with the Browns player? ›

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson has been accused of sexual assault in a new civil lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges the Cleveland Browns quarterback forced himself on her four years ago when he played with Houston.

How much does Deshaun Watson make a year? ›

Watson, who's gone 8-4 in his 12 starts over the past two seasons, is in the third year of his fully guaranteed $230 million contract that averages $46 million a year.

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