Deshaun Watson, who insists he will fight to clear his name, will meeting will be interviewed by NFL investigators this week. (TheLandOnDemand)
Deshaun Watson will interview with NFL reps this week concerning personal conduct policy violations
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
At last, some movement in the NFL’s investigation of whether Deshaun Watson violated the league personal conduct policy.
But still no timetable on a possible suspension of the quarterback who cost the Browns six draft picks over three seasons and a $230 million, fully-guaranteed contract.
TheLandOnDemand confirmed a report by Josina Anderson that Watson will be interviewed by league investigators probing allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions in early 2020 through March of 2021 while with the Houston Texans.
The interview is expected to be conducted in Texas this week, probably by Lisa Friel, the league’s lead investigator in the case.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy wrote in an email reply, “We will decline comment as the review is active and ongoing.”
Two Houston-area grand juries declined in March to bring criminal charges against Watson. But 22 civil cases from the allegations are proceeding.
Watson has given depositions for several of the cases, which will be tried separately. The depositions must be completed by July 1, a Harris County (TX) judge ruled last week.
The lawyers for Watson and the accusers agreed not to hold any trials from August 1 to March 1 to not interfere with the football season. Each trial could take up to six weeks, the lawyers have said.
But the NFL investigation is separate, and could result in a suspension to start the 2022 season.
The league’s revised personal conduct policy refers to “a baseline suspension without pay of six games” for a first violation, “with possible upward or downward adjustments based on any aggravating or mitigating factors.”
The new policy, jointly agreed by the players union and the league in the 2021 collective bargaining agreement, also calls for a disciplinary officer to decide whether a violation occurred, and whether the discipline should be a fine, suspension, or both.
The disciplinary officer in Watson’s case is former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson – not Commissioner Roger Goodell.
After Friel interviews Watson this week, she may interview more accusers, or could present her report to Robinson. It is not known when Robinson would make her ruling.
At his introductory news conference in Berea on March 25, Watson said, “I never did the things that these people are alleging, and I will continue to fight for my name and clear my name, and like I have been doing, just cooperating with everything that comes with it and just keep moving forward.”
If Watson receives the “baseline” suspension of six weeks, he would miss the following games to start the 2022 season:
At Carolina, home v. Jets, home v. Steelers, at Atlanta, home v. Chargers and home v. Patriots.
Watson’s busy week will be capped off by a bonding session this weekend with his new teammates in the Bahamas. Watson reportedly is footing the bill, including transportation, for a weekend stay at a resort in Nassau for more than 20 offensive teammates. They will conduct some informal football workouts, reportedly.
