Browns Pressured to Formulate ‘Exit Strategy’ for Deshaun Watson After Latest Shocking Allegation
The Cleveland Browns find themselves at the center of a storm as quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to take the field this Sunday despite a new sexual assault allegation levied against him. As the NFL continues its investigation, the decision to allow Watson to suit up has drawn intense criticism, reigniting a debate surrounding the Browns’ investment in the embattled star.
The new allegation surfaced on Monday, with a woman claiming Watson “roughly sexually assaulted” her at her apartment while she was preparing for a date with him. Watson has denied any wrongdoing, and the NFL is investigating the claim. However, the league has opted not to place Watson on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which would have sidelined him with pay during the investigation.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has confirmed that Watson will start this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a decision that has raised eyebrows both within and outside the organization.
Criticism Over Watson’s Continued Role
The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd voiced strong opposition to the Browns’ decision to keep Watson as the starting quarterback, calling for the team to consider an “exit strategy” if the allegations are substantiated.
“Stefanski said Watson will start this week against the Jaguars, and the Browns appear to have no plans of benching him,” Lloyd wrote. “How can they continue running him out as the face of the franchise if there is any uncertainty over the veracity of these claims? The Texans sat Watson for the entire 2021 season while they worked through his trade request and a slew of sexual misconduct allegations. The Browns are showing no inclination to do the same.”
Lloyd’s critique highlights a larger issue for the Browns, who have faced waves of backlash ever since acquiring Watson in a controversial trade and handing him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Aside from the off-field troubles, Watson’s on-field performance has yet to live up to the hype.
Watson’s Struggles Continue
In his limited action since joining Cleveland, Watson has been far from the dynamic quarterback the Browns hoped for. After playing in just 13 games since the 2022 trade, his performances have been inconsistent. In the Browns’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Watson managed just 169 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, a stat line that did little to quell the concerns surrounding his signing.
With his contract running through 2026, the Browns are in a bind. However, a potential loophole exists. If it’s proven that Watson was aware of this latest allegation before signing his contract and failed to disclose it, the Browns could theoretically void the deal.
“If the organization can prove Watson was aware of the potential allegation before he signed the contract and did not disclose it to the team, they may have a way out of this mess,” Lloyd said. “If they do, they’d better take it.”
Watson’s Accuser to Meet With NFL
As the Browns prepare for the weekend, the legal saga surrounding Watson shows no signs of slowing down. Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the woman accusing Watson, revealed that his client will meet with the NFL to discuss the case, bringing forth additional witnesses and video evidence.
“We will be scheduling a meeting with the NFL and hope that can be accomplished in the next two weeks,” Buzbee said in a statement. “We have a video and two additional witnesses for the NFL to speak with. I’ve personally never had confidence in the NFL’s disciplinary process, but my client has chosen to engage it.”
Buzbee also claimed that Watson’s legal team had been aware of the allegation for nearly a year but failed to address it until the lawsuit was filed, casting further doubt on Watson’s integrity during the ongoing legal battle.
“We reached out to attorney Rusty Hardin’s office for ten months in an attempt to resolve this case,” Buzbee stated. “Unfortunately, Watson’s team or maybe his lawyers couldn’t or wouldn’t give this case the attention it was due. Mr. Hardin now has tried to contact us since we filed suit. Unfortunately, we see that now as too little too late.”
What’s Next for the Browns?
Should Watson be forced to miss time due to the allegations or the legal proceedings, Cleveland would likely turn to veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, who was signed this offseason. Second-year signal-caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson could also see an increased role.
For now, all eyes are on Watson and the Browns’ handling of the situation. The looming question is whether Cleveland will continue to stand by its quarterback or begin to explore options to protect the franchise from further fallout. Either way, this latest chapter in the Deshaun Watson saga is far from over.
