NFL releases statement on Deshaun Watson trade, impact on impending investigation

The Cleveland Browns pulled off one of the biggest stunners in NFL history on Friday afternoon with a blockbuster trade deal in securing Deshaun Watson as their signal-caller of the present and the future. However, the NFL was quick to let everyone know that the trade deal won’t have any impact on their current investigation of the three-time Pro Bowler.

Per a statement released by NFL spokesperson, Brian McCarthy, “Any transaction would have no effect on the NFL’s ongoing and comprehensive investigation of the serious allegations against Deshaun Watson,” he released on Friday. “Nor would it affect his status under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Personal Conduct Policy.” The statement continued, “If the league’s investigation that Watson violated the Personal Conduct Policy, discipline may be imposed to the policy and the CBA.”

Watson, the No. 12 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, didn’t play in 2021. He had a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he could decide his next team if the Texans traded him. Multiple teams reportedly met with him, including the Cleveland Browns, before he decided on the Browns.

Cleveland will now have to wait and see what the NFL decides at the end of their investigation. In the meantime, their fans will look forward to one of the most electrifying quarterbacks the game has ever seen suiting up for their team eventually.

It should be noted that Deshaun Watson will not face any criminal charges

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges in several lawsuits against him, a grand jury concluded last Friday. Watson recently completed the first two sessions of depositions as part of 22 lawsuits filed against him, ESPN confirmed.

“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,” a statement from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office read. “Grand jury proceedings are secret by law, so no information related to their inquiry may be disclosed.”

Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, originally revealed on July 10 that ten women had filed complaints to Houston police about his client. Of those ten women, eight have filed lawsuits against Watson ranging from sexual assault to harassment during massage sessions. There were 22 lawsuits in total filed against the quarterback.

Watson’s deposition was originally scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 22.

A judge ruled last month that Watson could be deposed in nine of those civil cases after Hardin argued that delaying them would allow Watson the protection of knowing whether he will also face criminal charges. The quarterback did not play a game this past season as the possibility of being charged weighed on him the entire year.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the end.

On3’s Nick Shultz and Chandler Vessels also contributed to this article.