On Jan. 3, 2021, the Texans capped off a disappointing 4-12 season with a 41-38 home loss to the Titans, but the defeat was no fault of Deshaun Watson.
Watson had completed 28 of 39 passes for 365 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The Texans quarterback was sharp, got the ball to Brandin Cooks with ease and was able to keep the offense rolling for most of the game.
After it, then-team captain J.J. Watt felt like he needed to say something to Watson.
Watt pulled Watson over on their way back to the locker room and apologized to him for how the Texans had performed during the season.
“I’m sorry,” Watt told his quarterback. “We wasted one of your years. I’m sorry. I mean, we should have 11 wins. We should.”
“I’m sorry, we wasted one of your years.”
Watt to Watson after a tough season. pic.twitter.com/mcTVK3ZeJG
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 5, 2021
Indeed, it was hard to argue with Watt. Watson had put forth an excellent 2020 season that saw him complete 70.2 percent of his passes for a league-leading 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The Texans simply couldn’t do enough around him to win consistently.
However, what Watt didn’t realize was that Watson was about to redefine what it meant to endure a wasted year.
Watson’s relationship with the Texans quickly deteriorated following that game and he demanded a trade away from the team. However, shortly thereafter, he was accused of sexual assault and misconduct in more than 20 civil lawsuits, and that put his career on hold as he navigated the legal process and dealt with NFL-related discipline.
Because of his tense relationship with the Texans and his off-the-field issues, Watson missed the next 28 games that his teams played over a span of two seasons.
But on Dec. 4 — 700 days since his last NFL regular-season pass — Watson is returning to the field. He is making his first start with the Browns and will look to pick up his on-field career where he originally left it.
So much has happened since Watson last saw the field in a competitive NFL game. Below is a run-down of his off-the-field issues, including his trade request, the legal proceedings against him and his eventual return to action in a Cleveland uniform.
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Deshaun Watson trade request from Texans
The drama surrounding Deshaun Watson first began when he requested a trade away from the Texans following the 2020 NFL season. The trade request came as Watson grew disgruntled with the way that Houston was running its franchise and making decisions on who would lead the front office and coaching staff.
Oct. 5, 2020: The Texans fire coach Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start to the 2020 season. O’Brien posted a 52-48 record in 100 games with the Texans but never got them past the divisional round of the playoffs. O’Brien also served as the general manager of the Texans meaning that Houston would be searching for new leadership both on the field and in the front office.
Jan. 7, 2021: Houston names former Patriots executive Nick Caserio its new GM. This move reportedly angered Watson, who was promised that he would have input on the hire. Owner Cal McNair and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby didn’t consult with him before making the move.
Jan. 10, 2021: ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Watson is, in fact, unhappy with the Texans. He outlines that the team’s hiring practices and their decision not to interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for its coaching job are driving forces behind this. This continues to fuel trade speculation around Watson.
Reports about Deshaun Watson’s unhappiness with @HoustonTexans are accurate and sources close to the QB say he is still angry about team’s insensitivity to social justice, including hiring practices, after the franchise failed to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy this past week.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 10, 2021
Jan. 10, 2021: Also worth noting — ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Watson’s anger was at “a 10,” much greater than it was when O’Brien traded the team’s top receiver DeAndre Hopkins during the 2020 NFL offseason.
Also worth noting: One source said this week that, after Houston traded Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins last off-season, Deshaun Watson’s anger level was “a 2….This time, it’s a 10.” https://t.co/CsqZYbe3OK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2021
Jan. 12, 2021: The Texans request to interview Bieniemy days after the report that Watson was unhappy the Texans hadn’t interviewed him leaks.
The #Texans have officially requested an interview with #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, source said. Already a busy candidate, Bieniemy adds another to his list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2021
Jan. 15, 2021: Watson sends out a tweet saying that he was “at a 2, but now a 10,” which grabs the NFL world’s attention considering its similarities to Schefter’s report. Watson claims it was in reference to a song lyric.
Jan. 16, 2021: Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop and Jenny Vrentas report that Watson “just wants out” of Houston despite the franchise’s attempts to appease him. The story details that his main gripe with the team is the organization’s overall dysfunction.
Jan. 17, 2021: Schefter reports that it is believed that Watson has “played his last snap” for the Texans.
There is a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization that Deshaun Watson has played his last snap for the team. It’s early in the off-season, there’s a lot of time left, but Watson’s feelings cannot and should not be underestimated.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2021
Jan. 18, 2021: ESPN’s Sarah Barshop reports that Watson is not answering calls from the Texans.
“Deshaun Watson is not returning calls from the organization. … The Texans have very little control here.”
—@AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/rV6x5Fxuk0
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 18, 2021
Jan. 24, 2021: Schefter reports that the Texans’ choice in their coaching search will have no impact on Watson’s view of the team. He simply wants a fresh start.
As @mortreport reported on ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown, the Texans’ head coaching hire is not expected to change Deshaun Watson’s thinking. He still is expected to want out of Houston, no matter who the head coach is, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2021
Jan. 28, 2021: Watson’s trade request becomes official. It is revealed that he first made the request weeks ago but now, that information is public.
Deshaun Watson hasn’t spoken to new Texans general manager Nick Caserio nor executive Jack Easterby. Watson is moving on and waiting to see where his NFL future takes him. https://t.co/heLvCjpEXu
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 28, 2021
Teams including the Panthers, Dolphins, Jets and Bears are expected to be in pursuit of Watson with his demand now public. But the Texans are expected to take their time as they look to get full value for their starting quarterback.
MORE: Timeline of Deshaun Watson’s frustration with Texans which led to trade request
Deshaun Watson sexual assault allegations, lawsuits
Watson remains with the Texans as the team decides how to proceed with his trade request. Watson has leverage, given that he can refuse to play for the Texans, but Houston has him signed to a contract that runs through the 2025 season. As such, they can afford to hold out and take the best offer that comes to them.
However, accusations of sexual assault and misconduct against Watson soon take center stage. He faces 24 total lawsuits that could come with charges both civil and criminal. As such, the questions are less about where Watson might play and more about if he will ever play in the NFL again.
March 16, 2021: Attorney Tony Buzbee announces in an Instagram post that he is filing suit against Watson.
“Too many times women have put up with behavior that we all know no one should put up with,” Buzbee writes in the post.
March 17, 2021: Watson posts a statement on Twitter addressing the lawsuit against him. He denies any wrongdoing and calls Buzbee “a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer.”
“As a result of a social media post by a publicity-seeking plaintiff’s lawyer, I recently became aware of a lawsuit that has apparently been filed against me,” Watson said in his response. “I have not yet seen the complaint, but I know this: I have never treated any woman with anything other than the utmost respect. The plaintiff’s lawyer claims that this isn’t about money, but before filing suit he made a baseless six-figure settlement demand, which I quickly rejected.”
He also insists that he wants to clear his name, and the process of doing so will not be about the money.
March 17, 2021: Two more cases are filed against Watson. That brings the total number of lawsuits against him to three.
March 18, 2021: The NFL opens an investigation into Watson, as revealed in a letter from the league to Buzbee.
“I became aware of the lawsuits you filed yesterday, as well as the one you filed this morning, which contain various allegations of misconduct by Houston Texans player Deshaun Watson,” Friel wrote in the letter, which Buzbee posted on Instagram. “I am writing to let you know that the League has opened an investigation into these allegations and to request the cooperation of your clients in our investigation. Such cooperation would begin with engaging in Zoom interviews with myself and another League investigator at which, of course, you would be present. Please let me know at your earliest convenience if your clients are willing to assist us with our investigation of their allegations.”
March 18, 2021: Buzbee files four more suits against Watson, bringing the total number against him to seven.
March 22, 2021: Seven more lawsuits are filed against Watson. That brings the total number of complaints against him to 14.
The 14th lawsuit notes that the “Plaintiff believes Watson to be a serial predator.”
March 23, 2021: Rusty Hardin, Watson’s lawyer, requests in a statement that Buzbee “confidentially provide the names of the plaintiffs [in the Watson cases] so we can fully investigate their claims makes uncovering the truth extremely difficult.”
Hardin further details that the reason for this request is because he believes one of Buzbee’s plaintiffs attempted to blackmail Watson. He said the woman in question demanded $30,000 in exchange for her “indefinite silence” about a consensual encounter.
From Rusty Hardin: pic.twitter.com/cCWgCIrfp3
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) March 23, 2021
At this time, Watson was facing 16 lawsuits.
March 31, 2021: Hardin’s office releases statements from 18 massage therapists in support of Watson. They allege the experiences of those that have filed suits are inconsistent with theirs.
“The following 18 women are voluntarily issuing statements in support of Deshaun — with their names attached,” Hardin said in a news release, adding that the women have collectively “worked with Deshaun more than 130 times over the past five years.”
Watson was facing 21 lawsuits at the time of this statement.
April 2, 2021: A complainant files a report regarding Watson to the Houston police. As such, the law enforcement agency opens an investigation into Watson.
“We welcome this long overdue development,” Hardin says in a statement. “Now we will learn the identity of at least one accuser. We will fully cooperate with the Houston Police Department.”
April 6, 2021: A day after Buzbee filed the 22nd lawsuit against Watson, two of Watson’s accusers go public with their accusations. Ashley Solis, who filed the first lawsuit, read a prepared statement alongside Buzbee while one of his associates read the statement of Lauren Baxley, who also came forward.
Both women accused Watson of purposefully exposing himself and touching them with his erect penis.
“I replay the incident over and over in my head as if I’m trying to wake up from some horrible nightmare, only this nightmare is real,” Solis said, per KHOU.com. “I feel a range of emotions: guilt, embarrassment, shame, courage, anger, sadness and numbness. Some days I feel like a hero. Other days I feel like a failure.”
“I am furious that the talented and hard-working young black man that gave so many children inspiration is nothing more than a predator with power,” Baxley wrote in a letter. “I am heartbroken for your family, for your loved ones, for those coming to terms with the fact that your charitable work and good-guy persona are nothing more than a meticulously designed façade to keep your victims silent.”
MORE: Deshaun Watson lawsuits, explained — what to know about sexual assault allegations against QB
April 7, 2021: Watson loses multiple endorsement deals, the most notable of which is his contract with Nike.
April 9, 2021: Judge Dedra Davis rules that 13 of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits against Watson must identify themselves. Buzbee had previously kept their names anonymous, which Hardin claimed made it extremely difficult for his legal team to investigate their claims.
April 14, 2021: Twenty women identify themselves in court filings made against Deshaun Watson. Two more join the process later bringing the total number of complaints against Watson to 22.
April 16, 2021: Hardin files a seven-page response to the 22 civil lawsuits against Watson. He denies all accusations and attacked the credibility of 16 of the plaintiffs, per The Athletic.
According to the seven-page response, eight plaintiffs ‘bragged about, praised and were excited about massaging’ Watson; seven ‘willingly worked or offered to work’ with him again; three ‘lied about the number of sessions’ they had with him in their original complaints; three ‘lied about their alleged trauma and resulting harm;’ five ‘told others they wanted to get money’ from Watson and five have ‘scrubbed or entirely deleted’ social media accounts they used to promote their businesses.
April 29, 2021: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is asked about Watson’s status in his pre-NFL Draft interview with ESPN. He says that the league is taking the accusations against him “very seriously” and that the league is investigating the matters.
“We’re obviously following that and looking at that ourselves, independently,” Goodell said. “There are important steps that we will be taking as part of our personal conduct policy. When we get to that point, we will certainly make a decision.”
May 21, 2021: A Sports Illustrated cover story reveals that Texans owner Cal McNair’s personal attorney contacted Hardin and Buzbee to suggest mediation.
“Mr. McNair was aware that his personal attorney contacted both parties to suggest mediation,” the team said in its statement. “Mr. McNair has had no personal involvement in any of those discussions. The Houston Texans organization has not had any direct contact with either party.”
July 25, 2021: ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Watson still wants to be traded away from the Texans before the 2021 season begins. However, teams are not showing interest in him because of his legal situation.
Watson will still report to Texans training camp in order to avoid being fined or having any of his salary withheld. He is not yet facing any NFL discipline for his off-the-field issues.
July 26, 2021: Ten women file criminal charges against Watson in addition to the 22 civil lawsuits against him.
Aug. 13, 2021: The NFL interviews the 10 women that have filed criminal charges against Watson. They have not yet interviewed Watson, as Hardin confirms days later, but the league is working with the Houston Police Department to “ensure that the NFL’s inquiry does not interfere with their investigation.”
Aug. 14, 2021: Reports indicate that Watson will face a grand jury investigation as a result of the criminal charges filed against him.
“In the interest of fairness to all parties in any potential matter we don’t comment until and if there is a criminal charge,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement to KRIV.
Aug. 18, 2021: Hardin reveals that Watson has not yet talked to the NFL about his case. The quarterback has, however, been interviewed by the FBI, which is investigating the allegations against him.
Hardin also explains that the FBI is investigating allegations that one of Buzbee’s clients engaging in extortion of Watson, which Buzbee denies.
“That’s ridiculous and he knows it,” Buzbee said of Hardin’s claim to The Athletic. “He’s just trying to deflect.”
Aug. 31, 2021: It is reported that the Texans could keep Watson through the 2021 NFL season even though the team is not planning to play him. The team is waiting on an offer that includes three first-round picks and won’t be inclined to sell low on Watson.
Sept. 12, 2021: The Texans start Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in Week 1. Watson is inactive, as expected.
Oct. 26, 2021: As Watson continues to sit, trade rumors surrounding him begin to swirl. However, Roger Goodell dumps some cold water on them at the NFL owners meetings, saying that the league had yet to decide whether Watson would be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list if traded.
“There obviously are other legal approaches that are being made, either through the civil cases,” Goodell said, per The Athletic. “Obviously the police have been investigating also. We don’t have all the access to that information at this point in time, and we pride ourselves on not interfering in that, being as cooperative as we can to make sure we get all the facts.
“But I think that process is still ongoing, and until that process isn’t ongoing and we have enough data and enough information to be able to make a determination of whether he should go on commissioner exempt, we don’t feel we have that necessary information at this point.”
Nov. 2, 2021: Watson is not traded ahead of the 2021 NFL trade deadline despite reported interest from the Panthers and Dolphins, among other teams. The reason for that? It largely hinged on the Texans’ high asking price for the quarterback and his legal situation.
March 8, 2022: A grand jury is expected to convene on March 11 to make a ruling on the criminal sexual misconduct complaints against Watson. The grand jury will decide whether criminal charges will officially be filed against Watson.
March 11, 2022: The grand jury decides that Watson will not be criminally charged. He is still facing 22 civil lawsuits, which alleged sexual assault and misconduct, but he the criminal complaints against him are dismissed.
“After a Harris County grand jury was presented all the evidence and had the opportunity to hear from all witnesses, grand jurors declined to indict Deshaun Watson,” said Dan Schiller, a spokesman for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed.”
The dismissal of the charges against Watson causes the trade market surrounding him to heat up, especially with several quarterbacks including Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz having already been traded.
As such, it quickly becomes apparent that Watson will be the next trade domino to fall.
Deshaun Watson traded from Texans to Browns
Indeed, it didn’t take long for Watson to be traded after the criminal complaints against him were dismissed. The Browns traded for Watson and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which drew the ire of many teams across the NFL.
Of course, the move to Cleveland wasn’t the end of Watson’s legal troubles. He still had to deal with the 22 civil lawsuits he was facing as well as some other charges that surfaced after he was traded.
March 18, 2022: Watson was traded from the Texans to the Browns just after NFL free agency opened. The Texans acquired three first-round picks, a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks in exchange for Watson and a sixth-round selection.
MORE: Deshaun Watson trade details — How Browns beat out Saints, Falcons to land Texans’ QB
March 20, 2022: Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam release a statement defending their decision to trade for Watson even despite the accusations against him.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 20, 2022
March 24, 2022: Watson spoke alongside Browns general manager Andrew Berry at an introductory news conference for the first time since being traded to the Browns. The quarterback spoke largely of the opportunity presented to him in Cleveland and not his off-the-field issues.
For me to come in here and have the opportunity to show this community, show this city, show this organization, show this locker room who the person I really am. And that’s the main focus that I want to do is continue to show people who I really am and get my story out eventually.
March 29, 2022: Roger Goodell speaks about Watson’s status. He says the quarterback isn’t likely to be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list because of the civil cases but acknowledges that if Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy, he would be subject to discipline.
Goodell also categorizes the NFL’s investigation into Watson as ongoing.
May 31, 2022: Watson has another civil lawsuit added to the 22 that he was already facing. A week later, another is added, bringing the total number he is facing to 24.
June 8, 2022: A New York Times story reveals that Watson booked with 66 different massage therapists over a 17-month span while with the Texans. Some of the therapists reportedly signed NDAs with Watson while it was also reported that the Texans, on occasion, provided Watson with a place to have massages at a hotel in Houston.
That prompts Buzbee to add the Texans to the civil lawsuits outstanding against Watson.
June 14, 2022: Watson is asked about The Times’ story as the Browns open minicamp. He once again insists that the allegations against him are false.
“I’ve never assaulted anyone, I’ve never harassed anyone, I’ve never disrespected anyone, I’ve never forced anyone to do anything,” he told reporters.
June 21, 2022: Watson settles 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits against him despite previously saying that he wouldn’t settle as he looked to clear his name. Buzbee announces that four of the cases will go to court, including that of Solis, who he describes as “one of the heroes of this story.”
July 15, 2022: The Texans settle with 30 women who either had filed or were planning to file civil suits against the team. The terms of the settlements remain confidential.
Aug. 1, 2022: Buzbee tells ESPN that three of the four remaining lawsuits against Watson, including that of Solis, have been settled. Only one remains outstanding.
Deshaun Watson suspension
With Watson’s legal situation and his trade situation largely settled, there was only one thing left for the NFL to figure out. How long would he be suspended as a result of his conduct?
The NFL had investigated Watson for a violation of its personal conduct policy, and both Watson and the Browns waited on a ruling in the case for a majority of the 2022 NFL offseason. One finally came in August, but there were a few more twists as Watson looked to get back on the field.
Aug. 1, 2022: Judge Sue L. Robinson, the NFL and NFL Players Association’s appointed disciplinary officer, rules that Watson should be suspended for six games, pursuant to the league’s personal conduct policy.
Robinson cites that Watson’s “egregious” behavior absolutely warrants the six-game ban. However, she didn’t feel that it would be appropriate to extend beyond that six-game mark given the way that the policy is written.
Aug. 8, 2022: The NFL opts to appeal Robinson’s ruling about the length of Watson’s suspension. This was expected considering that the NFL had pushed for a full-year suspension of Watson and in settlement talks, had looked to avoid anything shorter than 12 games.
“As you know, it’s part of the CBA. Two parties had that right [to appeal],” Goodell said of the decision, per Mark Maske of the Washington Post. “And that was something that we felt was our right to do, as well as the NFLPA’s, and we decided it was the right thing to do.”
Aug. 18, 2022: The NFL and Watson agree on a settlement that stipulates Watson be suspended for 11 games and be fined $5 million. This puts him on track to return to the Browns in Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season.
MORE: Why NFL, Deshaun Watson settled on 11-game suspension in 2022
Deshaun Watson returns to Browns
Watson’s acceptance of the 11-game suspension keeps him away from the Browns facility during the start of the season. He was able to play in the preseason, however, and had a few dates that allowed him to ramp up his involvement with the team.
Oct. 10, 2022: Watson is allowed to return to the Browns facility for the first time since his suspension began. He does so and begins preparing to take over the starting job from Jacoby Brissett in Week 13.
Nov. 14, 2022: Watson is first eligible to return to Browns practice. He does so that week, two weeks ahead of his first start in Cleveland.
Nov. 28, 2022: Watson is officially reinstated from suspension. Cleveland names him the starter and releases Joshua Dobbs to make room for him on the roster. Brissett will serve as his backup during the final six games of the 2022 NFL season.
Dec. 4, 2022: Watson returns to the NFL field for the first time since a 41-38 loss to the Titans on Jan. 3, 2021. He takes the field for the Browns and will start his Cleveland career by facing off against his former team, the Texans.
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