On Friday, Deshaun Watson waived his no-trade clause with the Texans to become the new franchise quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
While his new five-year, $230 million contract locks him in as the Browns QB through the 2027 season, the beginning of Watson’s career in Cleveland is still clouded by his legal issues.
Though he was cleared of all criminal charges earlier this month, the 26-year-old quarterback still faces more than 20 civil cases of alleged sexual assault and misconduct.
After Watson’s trade to Cleveland, the NFL released a statement regarding the league’s ongoing investigation into these allegations.
“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.”
Statement from NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy in light of the Deshaun Watson trade. The league’s investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/p5mCg2fHiS
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 18, 2022
With this in mind, Watson could be suspended for a significant portion of the 2022 season. The Browns, who burned their relationship with Baker Mayfield in pursuit of Watson, may have to look elsewhere for their starting QB to begin the year.
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