Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has reached settlements in the final two of 27 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, avoiding trials and ending a legal ordeal that began nearly five years ago.
The last two cases, filed in Harris County, Texas, were dismissed with prejudice on Jan. 6 after confidential agreements were reached with the plaintiffs. One lawsuit had been scheduled for trial in February, the other in March. The dismissals mean the claims cannot be refiled.
Watson, 30, faced allegations from women who said he exposed himself, touched them inappropriately or forced sexual acts during appointments in 2020 and early 2021 while he was with the Houston Texans. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that any encounters were consensual.
Of the 27 suits filed since March 2021, 24 ended in confidential settlements, one was withdrawn shortly after filing, and the remaining two were resolved last month. Plaintiffs’ attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented 26 of the women, confirmed the end of his involvement, saying, “Case is settled. That’s all I can say about it.” Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, echoed that both cases concluded via settlements.
Avoiding Trial Through Settlements
Watson sidestepped jury trials entirely by negotiating out-of-court settlements, a common legal strategy in civil litigation to resolve disputes without formal adjudication. These agreements typically involve monetary compensation from the defendant in exchange for the plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of claims, often with prejudice to prevent refiling.
Key legal mechanisms included confidentiality clauses, likely incorporating non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prohibit parties from discussing details publicly. This allowed Watson to bypass discovery processes — where evidence like depositions and documents would be exchanged — and evade the uncertainties of a trial verdict. Mediation or direct negotiations between counsel facilitated the resolutions, as seen in the rapid dismissals ahead of scheduled court dates.
The NFL, which investigated the allegations in 2022, imposed an 11-game suspension on Watson for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Separately, the Texans reached confidential settlements with 30 women who accused the team of enabling Watson’s behavior.
Pros and Cons of Settling for Public Perception
Settling lawsuits like these can shape public opinion in complex ways, balancing privacy against accountability.
On the positive side, out-of-court resolutions allow defendants like Watson to maintain some control over their narrative. By avoiding a public trial, potentially damaging testimony and evidence remain sealed, reducing media scrutiny and enabling a quicker return to normalcy. For Watson, this means focusing on his career without ongoing courtroom distractions, potentially rehabilitating his image through on-field performance. Supporters may view settlements as pragmatic business decisions, not admissions of guilt, especially since Watson has denied the allegations.
However, critics often interpret settlements as tacit acknowledgments of wrongdoing, fostering perceptions of evasion rather than exoneration. Without a trial’s public vindication — such as a not-guilty verdict — doubts can linger, as seen in ongoing fan backlash and calls for further league discipline. High-profile cases amplify this: Watson’s $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the Browns, signed amid the lawsuits, drew ire for rewarding him despite the unresolved claims. Settling can also signal to the public that money trumps justice, eroding trust in institutions like the NFL.
Watson, traded to Cleveland in March 2022, has played just 19 games for the Browns due to his suspension and injuries, including a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his 2025 season. With the legal matters behind him, attention shifts to his recovery and the team’s 2026 prospects.
