Social media, podcasts, and sports stations are full of opinions and ideas about Deshaun Watson these days.
And it seems the only people unwilling to talk about his situation are the Cleveland Browns.
There is not even an official “no comment” to be heard from the front office in Berea.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski is sticking with his company-provided line about letting the legal process play out.
But at least one sports legal analyst thinks the Browns could be pushed into a big response soon.
Amy Dash, who has appeared on both CBS and Fox Sports networks says the Browns have a radical option.
The @Browns have built a strong out into the contract. If Watson did in fact get massages from 66 different women in 17 months, lawsuit number 24 may be just the beginning. If more criminal complaints are filed, Browns may decide it is just not worth it… https://t.co/Sp0XAeA77A
— Amy Dash (@AmyDashTV) June 7, 2022
Thanks to what she calls “a strong out” written into the contract, Dash says the team could cancel Watson’s deal.
Although she concedes that it will take more than the 24th lawsuit filed, it might not take much more.
Accusations Are Adding Up
Cleveland braced itself for the expected backlash for signing a quarterback with 22 sexual misconduct lawsuits.
And it is rightfully playing the waiting game regarding the NFL’s pending disciplinary process.
Most insiders expected no more than a half-season lost, but guesses range from none to an indefinite suspension.
Last week, the New York Times’ Jenny Vrentas opened a whole new avenue to explore.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski declines to get into specifics about the new lawsuit and investigation by The Times into Deshaun Watson and reiterates they are "being respectful of the process."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) June 8, 2022
Times reporters uncovered 66 different women with whom Watson scheduled massages in a 17-month period.
One session per week might not be as bad as it first sounds, but there is a bigger issue.
At his introductory press conference, Watson said he saw “about 40” different women over 5 years in Houston.
And given his lawyer never heard of complainant #24, the implication is Watson has been less than totally honest.
What Could Push Cleveland To Act?
With the NFL’s disciplinary decision due soon, the Browns will undoubtedly hold off on comments and actions.
After all, if the league decides to suspend Watson indefinitely, why show a different hand?
But don’t mistake silence for lack of worry over Watson’s previous explanations and plight.
Dash could be right that the 24th lawsuit is the tip of an iceberg.
Deshaun Watson's lead counsel believes there's a "good possibility" the NFL will make a decision he won't like but calls it a "hell of a detailed investigation" by the league. https://t.co/aC0CtE1tbA
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 5, 2022
Several women who are not suing Watson gave their first statements to the Times reporter.
And they shared details that support the contention that Watson’s actions were pre-planned.
It does not appear the latest lawsuits will lead to criminal allegations, but they strengthen the civil case.
That could lead to more lawsuits and more questions, pushing the NFL or the Browns to react.
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I don’t like how the top brass treated Baker Mayfield.
It was really kinda of shit**. I thought you guys was a top class act but now I don’t think that any more. You bring in a pervert with a big snake on his bake and offer him 30 some 30 some million. Throw Baker to the curb. Shame on you guys and the Browns owners. I hope Baker goes somewhere where he is truelly appreciated. And value him as a good person that he is. Oh by the way you have lost a fan
That’s what all good teams do with a little piece of bad shi* jerk who sucks and can’t play football !!!!! The Faker is just a little crazy con boy 🧛🏽♂️
I thing you’re mistaking Baker for that little snot Johnny Manziel. All Baker did was get us to Playoff game against the Steelers in Pittsburg and BEAT them. Short memory?
The browns need to get rid of the problem child that is the reason they do not win!!!!!!!
2 questions if deshaun thinks he has done nothing wrong is it safe to assume his multiple massage partners are now happening in Cleveland as well. Will someone ask stefanski since they have done their homework and are confortable with deshaun that means he would have no problem sending his wife or daughter when she turns 18 to deshauns to give him a massage. Stefanski should resign to save his name. Raising his kids to worship his new qb
Yo Whole Comment Stupid AF
The Browns have literally been the suckiest, most dysfunctional franchise for decades and you’re really trying to pin it on Baker Mayfield? I believe Mayfield’s going to make some team a much better team in the not too distant future.
2 questions if deshaun thinks he has done nothing wrong is it safe to assume his multiple massage partners are now happening in Cleveland as well. Will someone ask stefanski since they have done their homework and are confortable with deshaun that means he would have no problem sending his wife or daughter when she turns 18 to deshauns to give him a massage. Stefanski should resign
The browns organization is a joke as a whole! The Haslam finally have a respectable team and the get rid of the best quarterback since 99 and give all that money to a predator. They say the did extensive background research! How is that possible then they never spoke to 1 of the victums and then they won’t release baker and try to ruin his career. No one will trade for baker because they know the browns have to cut him or they willl just pay him to stay home and completely ruin his career. He only led us to a 11 and 5 record and our first playoff win in a million years. He played hurt and he should t have because all that did was have everyone in the organization and media trash him
Yep
The haslems had ruined a historic franchise Name forever if they don’t drop this lying pervert NOW and in the process liost a valuable player who they disrespected and threw away like garbage let’s see how many games they lose 💤💤💤💤👎👎👎
It’s so sad to think the Browns treated Mayfield like they did he came in and played hard for them and then got hurt so let’s go find a pervert and go back to the way we were before Mayfield came to play. I hope the Browns go back to losing every game and the pervert never plays football again.
The Browns are cursed ever since they let the original Browns move to Baltimore. Poor Cleveland.
Trading for Watson was folly. Keeping him would be insane.
The Brown’s where cursed way before they left for Baltimore. The fans are great but the city would not help the franchise in anyway.
They move and became a very good franchise.
Good luck with who you have as an owner now.
His big snake at stake. Browns need to toast the turd and move on.
I was a Brown’s fan sinc e I was a very little girl watching with my Dad. Then they snuck away in the dark of night and became the Ravens whom I will never like. I tried very hard to accept the Brown’s when they came back but they have never been the team they were just a bunch of people calling themselves “The Browns”. The last couple of years they have shown some promise. New owners and respected players. But, they have disappointed me and all those that call some their idols. How can you respect or make an idol out of
people like Watson or the owners. Shame on them. Bye Brown’s.
First of all did it ever occur to anyone that putting 2 people on a tv special putting it all out there and in papers and news that anyone could come forward and file civil suit so they can collect money of course details would be the same because it has been shared everywhere what happened that none of them came forward in 2021 when the first ones filed them and he already set out a whole year why should he sit out another season
Agreed
Will we get the money and the draft picks back if we can void the contact
Mayfield did everything he could with the injuries he had and the Browns are complicit in that decision. He got hurt in game 2!,
Then to leak the “immature” tag and “adult” it was Haslam way of justifying the whole recruitment of the predator.
I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if Berry and Stefanski were not on board with this move.
It has Haslam name written all over it. Remember Manziel
She has no idea what she is talking about. Unless Amy Dash has reviewed an actual exact copy of Watson’s contract, then she’s talking out of her…uh…umm…hat. A tweet borne out of ignorance and a thirst for social media attention.
What the Browns are doing to Mayfield is a disgrace. Mayfield has and always will give 100% Any team will be lucky to get him! Big mistake Browns! Lost all respect for a team that will back a predator over a decent guy!
I agree fully I was a browns fan seance the 50es when i was a teenager. i am now a Bengals fan.
Baker Manziel is a clown. He sucks.
I have been a Browns fan for 65 years. They have a great history and were on the right track to success. They were scoring points and defense was strong. We were headed in the right direction. We had offense. We had defense. We had a coach. What we did not have was patience and that is why we are in this mess. Teams that win in professional football have minimal off season and off the field distractions. I blame management for demanding that we fans accept the flawed character of Deshawn Watson. As a fan I refuse to win or lose with him. We do not need new players. We need new management.
I love the Watson reaction timeline: 1. They’re all lying, I’m innocent. 2. I have no regrets for anything I’ve done. 3. The NFL might suspend me for a year or longer? Um… I am VERY sorry for what I have done to these woman! (“Hey lawyers, how does that sound?). The NFL HAS to make an example of this guy, BTW Jeffrey Epstein is still alive and raping 12 year olds in Thailand.
oh, and 4. I apologize to all the women that have been hurt by this … but I’m still innocent!