Four weeks ago, the NFL world was shaken by a fresh lawsuit against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. But just as quickly as it rolled in like a storm on the horizon, the case has now reached its conclusion.
A Confidential Conclusion
Attorney Tony Buzbee recently declared, "We have now resolved our client’s claim with Deshaun Watson," in a statement that was as brief as a two-minute drill. The terms of the settlement, shrouded in mystery, are bound by the cloak of confidentiality.
Now, here’s the catch—and it’s the size of a Hail Mary pass. The confidentiality agreement essentially throws a wrench into the NFL’s gears. With the accuser unlikely to cooperate further, it leaves the league in a bind, like a quarterback with a busted playbook. The NFL faces significant hurdles in launching a meaningful investigation, making any talks of suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy merely a pipe dream.
The Contract Conundrum
For the Cleveland Browns, the situation turns even more knotty. They can hardly leverage these allegations to ax the remaining guarantees of Watson’s mammoth five-year, $230 million contract. Those numbers aren’t just digits but the gigantic elephant in the room. The terms ensure Watson’s financial fort is as secure as a fortress, locking in a whopping $92 million for the 2025 and 2026 seasons combined.
And guess what? Despite any off-field shadows looming over him, the Browns find themselves stuck in a matrimonial contract—they’re bound to pay him, whether or not he graces the field.
Puzzle of Past Suspensions
Recall that adventure back in 2022 when Watson faced an 11-game suspension following the league’s dive into multiple sexual misconduct claims, largely centering on massage therapy sessions. Watson’s contract safeguards the financial guarantees against any hiccups from claims that were disclosed to the team in advance through a written document before signing on the dotted line for his original and adjusted contracts.
In football terms, think of it as an ironclad defense that’s hard to break through—that’s precisely what Watson’s contract is doing for his guarantees. The Browns are bound to Watson for a couple more seasons, at least in the fiscal sense. But on the field? Well, that’s a different ball game!
