After nearly five years of ongoing legal challenges, all civil lawsuits involving Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been resolved. The final two cases among the 27 filed were dismissed with prejudice on January 6, signaling that a settlement had been reached and preventing the cases from proceeding to their scheduled trials in early 2026. The lawsuits arose amidst accusations of misconduct occurring during massage-therapy sessions.
Final Plaintiffs Settle as Legal Process Comes to a Close
Among the last remaining plaintiffs was Lauren Baxley, one of the initial women to file claims against Watson, who had previously declined to settle. Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing 26 of the 27 lawsuits, confirmed the conclusion of the litigation.
“That’s all I can say about it. That’s the last case, so that ends my involvement with Deshaun Watson litigation,”
Buzbee stated, according to Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today.
Timeline of Lawsuits and Impact on Watson’s Career
The lawsuits began after Watson’s legal team chose not to engage in settlement talks regarding the very first claim. This decision led to a surge of cases filed, which eventually influenced the NFL to impose a 10-game suspension on Watson in 2022. Watson’s performance has yet to reach the heights he displayed during his last strong season in 2020, when he threw for 4,823 yards with the Houston Texans. The quarterback missed the entire 2021 season while awaiting a trade and then served the suspension at the beginning of the 2022 campaign.
Current Contract and Future With the Browns
Despite the challenges, the Cleveland Browns demonstrated their confidence in Watson by signing him to a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million. Watson remains under contract with the Browns through 2026, with the team intending to keep him on their roster as they move forward. The resolution of these lawsuits removes a significant legal cloud hanging over his career, allowing both Watson and the Browns to focus on the future.
