The National Football League has closed its latest investigation into Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, announcing no evidence of misconduct that would warrant disciplinary action under its personal conduct policy.
A league spokesperson stated on Friday, “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.”
Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, expressed relief, telling the Washington Post, “We are delighted to put this issue behind us so that Deshaun can concentrate on recovering from his injury and preparing for next season.”
The investigation stemmed from a September lawsuit filed by a woman alleging she was sexually assaulted by Watson in October 2020. The case was settled privately a month later.
The allegation traces back to Watson’s tenure with the Houston Texans, during which he faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct. Over 24 civil lawsuits were filed against him, with Watson reaching settlements in 23 of those cases.
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The NFL had previously suspended Watson for 11 games of the 2022 season and fined him $5 million as part of disciplinary measures related to those accusations. That season marked Watson’s debut with the Browns following his trade from the Texans and a historic $230 million fully guaranteed contract.
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This year, Watson’s on-field performance was cut short due to a right Achilles tendon injury sustained on October 20 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injury has sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Despite this setback, Watson remains one of the NFL’s highest-paid players, set to earn $46 million annually in both 2025 and 2026.
