Roger Goodell addresses Deshaun Watson situation

As trade rumors heat up for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson with the trade deadline a week away, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell explained in a press conference Tuesday evening why Watson hasn’t been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.

“There obviously are other, I’ll call it legal approaches that are being made either through civil cases, obviously the police have been investigating also,” Goodell said. “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 cooperative as we can to make sure we get all the facts, but I think that process is still ongoing. And until that process is 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 that we have that necessary information at this point.”

Goodell’s statements seemingly indicate that Deshaun Watson would be able to suit up immediately if traded. Watson has not been formally charged with a crime but is facing 10 criminal complaints and 22 civil lawsuits by women accusing him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions.

Watson has remained on the Texans roster throughout the preseason and over the first six weeks of the regular reason but has not been active.

The Houston Chronicle reported that the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans have agreed on trade terms for Deshaun Watson, but the Dolphins want his legal issues resolved before consummating deal and Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross wants clarity from Goodell on length of potential suspension

“These issues seem unlikely to be resolved/clarified before Tuesday’s trade deadline,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson said on Tuesday. “And even though the teams have reportedly agreed on compensation, nothing legally binds them (obviously) to complete deal next spring or whenever there is resolution on those 2 issues”

Miami has been linked with Deshaun Watson since rumors surfaced this summer the star quarterback wanted out. However, the pending legal proceedings and ongoing battle with the Texans front office had put off negotiations.

Multiple teams engaged in trade talks for Watson around the league. At least three teams were also in serious discussions at some point, but Watson holds some power with his contract.

According to previous reports, Texans general manager Nick Caserio asked interested teams for three first-round draft picks and two second-round picks. Deshaun Watson also has a no-trade clause, giving him final say.