Deshaun Watson Has Settled Out of Court With Almost All Accusers

Deshaun Watson had 24 lawsuits filed against him accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. On Tuesday, attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing the plaintiffs, announced that all but four of the cases had reached settlements.

Here is Buzbee’s statement to NBC News, “Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled. We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed”

Buzbee added, “The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”

While the settlements resolve a lot of Watson’s legal troubles, the Cleveland Browns quarterback still has four outstanding lawsuits and discipline from the NFL to deal with. The NFL confirmed that the settlements would have no impact on the kind of punishment he will receive.

The league will push for a one-year suspension

Buzbee addressed the open cases and the first woman who came forward, Ashley Solis. She is one of the four who have not settled, “Ashley Solis is one of the heroes of this story. Her case has not settled and thus her story and that of the other three brave women will continue. I look forward to trying these cases in due course, consistent with other docket obligations and the court’s schedule.”

The league’s VP of communications Brian McCarthy said in a statement, “Today’s development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.” The league will push for a one-year suspension for Watson according to USA Today.

The next steps in the process are for the league to share its findings from their investigation and make a recommendation based on the findings. Then all information will be sent over to the disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson. She’s a former federal judge.

The timeline for Robinson’s decision and any appeal that might be filed is unknown. The NFL and the NFLPA want to get things resolved prior to the start of the 2022 season.

The Browns then traded for him

Back in March a grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges. It was the second time a grand jury declined to indict him. The Browns then traded for him sending a haul of three first-round, one third and two fourth-round picks to the Texans.

Following the trade, Cleveland signed Watson to a record setting, fully guaranteed, five-year $230 million contract.