Final Two Deshaun Watson Lawsuits Dismissed Following Settlement Agreements

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has seen the final two civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct dismissed in Texas, concluding years of litigation.

Court records in Harris County, Texas, confirm the dismissal of the final two civil lawsuits filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. These filings, which alleged sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions, were officially terminated after settlement agreements were reached between the parties. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the plaintiffs, and Watson’s legal team finalized the resolutions to end litigation that originally began in March 2021. The dismissal of these specific cases—one filed in 2022 and another in 2024—effectively clears the quarterback’s civil court docket of all remaining claims related to these allegations.

In August 2022, the NFL issued an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine to the signal-caller following an investigation into his conduct. This disciplinary action was paired with a requirement for Watson to undergo a mandatory evaluation and treatment program. During the period of these legal proceedings, the quarterback was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for three first-round draft picks. The Browns subsequently signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million, a record-breaking figure at the time of the transaction.

Statistically, the impact of these legal hurdles coincided with a significant reduction in Watson's on-field availability. Since joining Cleveland, the three-time Pro Bowler has appeared in only 12 games across two seasons. In 2023, his campaign was cut short after six starts due to a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket, which required season-ending surgery. Before the injury, he completed 105 of 171 passes for 1,115 yards, recording seven touchdowns against four interceptions. His completion percentage sat at 61.4%, while his quarterback rating reached 84.3 during that limited stretch of play.

The initial wave of litigation involved 24 separate women filing civil suits, 23 of which were settled in the summer of 2022. Two grand juries in Texas—one in Harris County and another in Brazoria County—previously declined to pursue criminal charges against the athlete in early 2022. Despite the lack of criminal indictments, the NFL’s independent disciplinary officer, Sue L. Robinson, originally recommended a six-game ban, which was later increased by the league through an appeals process. The most recent dismissal ensures that no further civil trials regarding these specific historical claims will take place.

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the 28-year-old quarterback is participating in full-team drills at the Browns' training facility in Berea, Ohio. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has monitored his throwing progression, noting that Watson has been cleared for contact following his November surgery. The Cleveland roster currently features backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley, providing depth behind the starter. With the legal proceedings now concluded, the organization’s focus shifts to the Week 1 opener against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium. This resolution marks the end of a 40-month legal saga that has defined much of Watson's professional narrative since his final season in Houston.