The story of Deshaun Watson’s exit from the Houston Texans, via trade to the Cleveland Browns, often does not get told without mention of the more than two-dozen claims of sexual assault brought against him in a very public ordeal.
Watson has since encountered other issues, from poor play to durability and even the five-year, $230 million contract extension he signed with the Browns.
The biggest looming dark cloud was his off-field legal matters, at least until a new development.
Ex-Texans QB Deshaun Watson Gets Good News
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns walks across the field during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Watson and the Browns have yet to finalize whether he will return next season, but the former Texans star received major personal news during Super Bowl weekend. The final two open lawsuits against him were dismissed “just weeks” before heading to trial.
Watson faced 27 lawsuits, all accusing him of sexual misconduct. Watson’s legal team settled 24 of them confidentially and saw another withdrawn by the plaintiff in 2021.
That was when Watson’s legal issues began.
“The last remaining two were dismissed with prejudice in Houston Friday Jan. 6, indicating they also were settled with confidential terms,” USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer wrote in an article on February 9.
“All cases generally alleged misconduct during massage sessions in 2020 and early 2021, when Watson played for the Houston Texans. That team also reached confidential settlements with 30 women who made claims related to Watson’s behavior and accused the team of enabling his behavior and failing to prevent it.”
Watson maintained his innocence, while also admitting to some of the acts, saying they were consensual. Attorney Tony Buzbee represented all but one of the plaintiffs. He noted that, with the dismissal of the lawsuit, his involvement with Watson is over.
Deshaun Watson Sends Message Before Offseason
GettyDeshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns on the sideline during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Watson has posted on social media frequently, including as he recovered from a re-ruptured Achilles tendon and missed the entire 2025 campaign. He shared a few messages that hold even more weight in light of his recent legal progress.
“Day 1! (Isaiah 60:22) [praying hands emoji,” Watson posted to his Instagram story on Monday.
The New International Version of the passage on Bible Hub reads, “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.”
Watson has been open about leaning on his faith during his personal and professional valleys, often sharing verses along with his other messages about perseverance and continually working to get back on the field.
“New Season!! YEAAAAA,” Watson said in another slide, tagging Volt Physical Therapy.
Watson shared an image of himself on a stationary bike, captioning it, “Daily Steps.. Tomorrow isn’t promised.. Yesterday already finished!” and signing off with his signature “4OVE.”
In his final slide with a message, Watson said, “Turn every [loss] into a profit! [100 emoji],” including a video of him on the stationary bike. Watson heads into the offseason having gotten strong praise from new Browns head coach Todd Monken.
The recent developments will not make anyone forget about Watson’s troubles.
It does allow Watson to move forward, though, which the former Texans first-round pick and his wife, Jilly Anais, have tried to do in the years since the issues came to light.
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