27 Lawsuits Against Deshaun Watson Dismissed
The final two remaining civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have been dismissed, effectively ending the nearly five-year legal saga that began with dozens of accusers.
Watson was previously accused by numerous women of inappropriate and non-consensual conduct during massage therapy sessions while he was a member of the Houston Texans. Over time, nearly 30 separate civil lawsuits were filed in Texas courts, with plaintiffs alleging that Watson had exposed himself, touched them against their will, or coerced sexual acts during professional appointments from 2017 through 2020.
The two lawsuits that were dismissed this week were set to go to trial in the coming weeks. One case was scheduled for trial in February, and the other in March — but both were voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs, with at least one believed to have been resolved through a confidential settlement agreement.
With these dismissals completed, Watson is now free of any active civil litigation tied to the sexual misconduct allegations. It is believed he no longer faces any pending lawsuits related to the matter.
Watson, 30, has consistently denied wrongdoing throughout the legal process. Two separate Texas grand juries previously declined to indict him on criminal charges. Critics of the lawsuit process have argued that dismissals without trial — particularly when tied to confidential settlements — leave unresolved questions for the public, while supporters of Watson have viewed the results as vindication of his denials.
The civil suits were separate from NFL disciplinary action taken in 2022, when Watson was suspended for 11 games under the league’s personal conduct policy. The suspension resulted from the NFL’s review of the allegations, and Watson was also fined $5 million and required to undergo a behavioral evaluation before being reinstated.
Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns in March 2022, shortly after the allegations first surfaced. The Browns gave up substantial draft capital — including three first-round picks and additional selections — and signed Watson to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, one of the richest in NFL history. However, his tenure with Cleveland has been marked by limited playing time due to suspensions and a series of injuries, including a ruptured Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the 2025 season.
Most of the original lawsuits filed against Watson were resolved through confidential settlements or dismissal long before trial, with only a handful reaching late-stage litigation. The final two cases were among the last remaining that had not yet been resolved or settled; their dismissal means Watson has now successfully avoided a courtroom verdict on any of the claims.
Legal experts note that dismissals through settlement or voluntary withdrawal are common in civil litigation, especially in high-profile disputes where both sides may seek to avoid the uncertainties and publicity of a trial. Settlement agreements often contain confidentiality clauses that prevent release of the terms, leaving many details undisclosed to the public.
With the legal issues behind him, Watson can focus on his recovery and potential return to the field. The Browns, meanwhile, face decisions about his future role with the team, given his injury history and the unfulfilled expectations of his contract since arriving in Cleveland. Watson has appeared in just 19 total games for the Browns over parts of three seasons, due in part to suspensions and significant injuries.
While the lawsuits are now closed, some observers note that public perception can be shaped by the absence of a trial, rather than a judicial finding of innocence. Nonetheless, the civil litigation chapter has drawn to a close, ending a major off-field distraction in Watson’s career and leaving his professional future as the primary focus for fans and analysts alike.
⚖️ Key Legal Outcome
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The final two civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against Watson have been dismissed.
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At least one of the dismissals appears to have resolved through a confidential settlement.
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With these cases gone, Watson now has no active civil litigation pending tied to the misconduct allegations.
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Earlier NFL disciplinary action resulted in an 11-game suspension and a fine.
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Two Texas grand juries previously declined to indict Watson on criminal charges.
📌 Why It Matters
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Ends a long-running legal saga — Watson’s civil litigation has spanned nearly five years.
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Clears his legal slate — No pending lawsuits remove a major distraction from his career.
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Sets a precedent for high-profile settlements — Civil suits often resolve without trial in sensitive cases.
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Impacts public perception — Dismissals without trial leave unresolved questions for some observers.
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Shifts focus to his football future — Legal closure could influence his status with the Browns next season.
