Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled his most recent lawsuit, a move that likely secures his status for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season. The suit, filed in September, alleged that Watson “roughly sexually assaulted” a woman in her apartment. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the accuser, confirmed on Monday that a confidential settlement had been reached.
“We have now resolved our client’s claim with Deshaun Watson,” Buzbee told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “The settlement is confidential.”
The NFL had launched an investigation into the matter, but the confidentiality of the settlement and the unlikelihood of the accuser participating in the process make any further disciplinary action against Watson nearly impossible. According to Florio, this effectively shuts down the possibility of the Browns using the incident to void the remaining guarantees on Watson’s five-year, $230 million contract.
Watson, who was suspended for 11 games in 2022 due to earlier sexual misconduct allegations, had been under scrutiny again after this latest claim. However, this resolution helps protect his contract, ensuring he remains with the team through 2026, where he is due a combined $92 million over the next two seasons.
Browns Continue to Struggle with Watson at QB
Despite the legal victory, Watson’s on-field performance has been far from what the Browns expected when they made him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Cleveland’s offense ranks near the bottom of the league in several key metrics, averaging just 3.8 yards per play and failing to score more than 18 points in any game this season. Watson has yet to show the Pro Bowl form he displayed with the Houston Texans, and his struggles have been a major part of the team’s underwhelming results.
While Watson hasn’t been solely responsible for the Browns’ offensive woes — the team has allowed a league-high 26 sacks — his inconsistent play has raised serious concerns. Nonetheless, head coach Kevin Stefanski remains committed to Watson as the team’s starter, doubling down on his faith in the quarterback during a press conference on Monday.
“I think I’ve been pretty clear, guys, all along. This is not a one-person type of deal,” Stefanski said. “When we’re playing how we’re playing on offense, we need everybody to do their job and do their job better. And I look at myself and how I can do that, but I believe in Deshaun, I believe in what he brings to this offense, and I believe he will play better.”
Deshaun Watson’s Contract and Coaching Situation Under Fire
Watson’s massive contract has complicated the Browns’ options. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky went as far as to call the situation in Cleveland the “worst in pro sports,” citing the enormous financial commitment that keeps Watson on the field despite his poor performance.
“They’re done, and so is Deshaun Watson,” Orlovsky said. “If you want to see a situation where the head coach has absolutely no say over who’s playing on the field, it’s happening in Cleveland. Kevin Stefanski is a two-time coach of the year, he’s a brilliant offensive mind, and this offense looks nothing like the offense that he won two-time coach of the year with. They’re in an awful situation, and by every measure, if you just watch the game and then you look at the stats… their offensive performance, and specifically Deshaun Watson’s offensive performance, is the worst in the NFL.”
The Browns are hoping for a turnaround as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles next week. If Watson can’t elevate his play soon, the Browns’ struggles may deepen, adding more pressure to an already precarious situation in Cleveland.
