In response to public outcry following his trade to Cleveland in the wake of 22 sexual misconduct allegations, commissioner Roger Goodell addressed where the NFL stands in its investigation of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, doing his best to defuse the league’s latest PR catastrophe. However, Goodell didn’t reveal much in the way of new information while speaking at Tuesday’s NFL Owners Meetings in Palm Beach, declining to offer a firm timetable on when a decision might be made on Watson’s potential discipline.
The NFL finds itself in the midst of another optics nightmare, forced into damage control after seeing an alleged sexual predator not only land on his feet with a new team (which came after a weeklong bidding war between Cleveland, Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina) but also with a new, fully-guaranteed $230-million contract. Watson didn’t appear particularly apologetic during his introductory press conference last week, dodging pointed questions about his assault allegations with vague non-answers and outright denials, all while looking like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world than a room full of microphones. The 26-year-old was similarly evasive in his deposition, failing to see how hiring over 40 different massage therapists could be perceived as unusual or problematic.
While Watson won’t face criminal charges for his alleged misconduct, the NFL can still impose discipline if they feel the Pro Bowler violated the league’s personal conduct policy, just as they did in response to previous off-field incidents involving Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger and Kareem Hunt. Though he never saw the field in 2021, Watson wasn’t suspended or even placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, receiving his full salary while spending the season as a healthy scratch.
The NFL’s hands were tied last season while waiting for Watson’s criminal proceedings to play out, not wanting to interfere with an active police investigation. Now that he’s been cleared by a grand jury, the NFL should be able to meet with Watson and determine if discipline, either in the form of a suspension, fine or placement on the commissioner’s exempt list, is necessary. Meanwhile, the Browns still have to unload Baker Mayfield, who is seeking a trade, though interest in the former first overall pick has been scarce with teams (including the rival Steelers) content to wait until he’s released.
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