Report: NFL’s Mindset With Deshaun Watson Revealed
It’s been months since the investigation into Houston Texans Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson began, and may be many more before it’s resolved for good. But the NFL’s inaction on Watson in the meantime has been puzzling.
Reports surfaced last week that a trade involving Watson could be in the works ahead of next week’s deadline. But the NFL appears uncertain on how to handle his status if it happens.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the NFL has yet to decide whether Watson will be put on paid leave if he gets traded. Watson has not been barred from playing for the Houston Texans as of yet – that’s a separate batch of issues entirely.
Florio noted that the NFL is under no obligation to preemptively punish Watson at the moment given the state of things. Watson is facing 22 civil complaints alleging sexual misconduct by massage therapists. 10 of those complaints are criminal complaints.
But Watson has not been charged with any crimes – a crucial element in all of this.
The league still hasn't decided whether to place Deshaun Watson on paid leave if he's traded, and the league still won't make a decision until it has to. https://t.co/lpWZG75XRa
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 24, 2021
Deshaun Watson led the NFL in passing yards last year. But he’s been on the outs with the Texans front office since the start of the offseason.
Watson’s issues with the Texans brass probably wouldn’t have been bad enough to get him traded. But the ongoing investigation into his conduct probably will be.
The Miami Dolphins are believed to be the team in pole position to land Watson as the deadline approaches. But the uncertainty around his status could make a deal harder to complete.
Will we see Deshaun Watson take the field in 2021?
The post Report: NFL’s Mindset With Deshaun Watson Revealed appeared first on The Spun.
