Deshaun Watson’s NFL Future Grows Murkier Again

Deshaun Watson (4) of the Cleveland Browns looks on after their 16–20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Oct. 13, 2024. Elsa/Getty Images

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled on the field this season, but now his off-field challenges could overshadow all of that.

Watson, who has a history of accusations of sexual misconduct against him, received another lawsuit in September for alleged sexual assault and battery of a Houston woman. The woman sued Watson for $1 million and the case was settled earlier this month. Meanwhile, the NFL is looking into the case, which commissioner Roger Goodell addressed during the owners’ meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

“We’re continuing our review like we would,” Goodell said. “As you know, we take the personal conduct policy seriously, so our people are working diligently.”

Watson previously received an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine over 24 lawsuits by women against him in 2022. He missed most of the 2022 season with the Browns because of the suspension, and Watson only played six games the following season because of a shoulder injury.

Watson came into this season healthy, but his play has only dwindled. Through six games this season, he has his fewest touchdown passes, total yards, and yards per completion in his time with the Browns.

Watson’s lackluster play previously put him in the national spotlight amid the Browns’ on-field struggles in a 1–5 start. While talk of benching or trading Watson naturally surfaced among the media and fans, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski doubled-down on Watson remaining the starter during Monday’s press conference.

“I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win, and we need to play really good offensive football at his position and really at every position to be successful on Sunday,” Stefanski said.

Stefanski also shot down the narrative that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is making Stefanski play Watson due to the team’s massive investment in the quarterback. Cleveland traded a 2022 first-round draft pick, a 2023 first-round and third-round pick, plus 2024 first and fourth-round picks to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022. The Browns signed to a five-year, $230 million deal.

Stefanski said he doesn’t “get caught up in narratives” and is in communication with Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry regarding “all things that have to do with this team” this year. The fifth-year coach noted the front office leadership’s support of his on-field decisions.

Whether or not Gooddell’s announcement and the league’s investigation impacts Stefanski’s decisions remains to be seen. The Browns next face the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20 amid an in-state matchup between two squads looking to turn around their respective seasons.

If the Browns face another Watson suspension at some point, the team has a viable backup in quarterback Jameis Winston. The former No. 1 pick in 2015 from Florida State once threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his 30 interceptions that year curtailed his chances of remaining a regular starter in the NFL.

Winston arrived in Cleveland before this season and embraced his backup role, as he did for most of his time with the New Orleans Saints from 2020 to 2023. He has a career 87.0 quarterback rating and 61.2 percent completion rate.

“Yes, I still envision myself as a starter, however the Lord has also called me to lead by impacting and increasing the men who are around me,” Winston said in an interview with NFL insider Josina Anderson in March. “Now, if Deshaun has to heal up for whatever reason, and I have to take a few games off of him, I’m going to be ready to do that; but I have to fulfill God’s purpose first before my own heart’s desire.”