The Houston Texans recently traded Deshawn Watson to the Cleveland Browns, where he signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract after he was cleared of criminal charges amid sexual misconduct allegations. He still faces 22 civil lawsuits.
The NFL’s decision to investigate Deshawn Watson’s conduct could take some time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday.
Goodell said the NFL has no timetable for completing the investigation.
“We’re going to let the facts guide us, find all the possible facts,” Goodell said. “At least there is a resolution from the criminal side. Hopefully our investigation will gain access to more information. We will talk to anyone who can give us a point of view.”
Regarding Watson’s possible suspension, Goodell said the decision would be made by a discipline inspector jointly appointed by the league and the players’ union.
But he dismissed the idea that Watson would be placed on the commissioner’s exemption list, which would prevent him from taking part in Brown’s activities, including the games.
Watson missed the entire 2021 season in Houston, although he remained with the Texans and received a paycheck. The team decided to make it inactive every week.
“I think at this point in time, a civil lawsuit won’t lead to that,” Goodell said of the excluded list.
Watson has signed a record $230 million full guaranteed contract that includes a $1 million base salary in his first season in case he is suspended by the NFL.
Asked if such a contract bothered him, Goodell said it would not affect Watson’s discipline.
