Those two cases were the last remaining of 27 lawsuits filed in 2020 and early 2021 during Watson’s tenure with the Houston Texans. Tony Buzbee, who represented most of the plaintiffs, told ESPN that a settlement had been reached, adding only that “that’s all I can say.”
Watson has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. The NFL suspended him 11 games in 2022 after its investigation and fined him a league-record $5 million for violations of the personal conduct policy; he also underwent a mandatory behavioral evaluation. He has played 19 games for the Cleveland Browns since joining the team, hindered by the suspension and multiple injuries, including a twice-ruptured Achilles.
Entering the final year of a $230 million fully guaranteed contract, Watson’s return remains a focal point for Cleveland. Head coach Todd Monken has expressed optimism about Watson being in the mix for the starting quarterback job, while young quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are also under contract for next season.
Sanders, who started the Browns’ final seven games last season, threw for about 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions and was named to the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement. Monken declined to declare an official starter, saying the quarterback room will be evaluated and developed through the offseason.
Cleveland is expected to explore all options in the draft, free agency, and potential trades to bolster the QB position. The Browns finished near the bottom of the league in yards and points last season, underscoring the team’s need to optimize the quarterback room as they prepare for the upcoming season.
