Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns will excuse quarterback Baker Mayfield from their mandatory minicamp, which begins next Tuesday.

The team said the move was a mutual decision and "best for both parties" amid the uncertainty around Mayfield's future following his trade request in March.

It doesn't appear Mayfield is any closer to getting his wish than when he first said he wanted out.

ESPN's Jake Trotter reported in May a deal between Cleveland and the Carolina Panthers "never got close" because the Panthers wanted the Browns to eat a "significant portion" of the quarterback's 2022 salary.

The 27-year-old will make $18.9 million before hitting free agency in 2023.

Trotter laid out the details of the rift between Mayfield and the Browns, something that was growing before the team acquired Deshaun Watson and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million extension.

Wednesday's minicamp news isn't surprising since the situation appears to be unsalvageable.

However, the ambiguity over Watson's status has grown in light of recent developments.

In May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league's investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and assault against Watson was "nearing the end." Two more women filed civil lawsuits in the past 10 days to bring the total number of suits against Watson to 24.

The New York Times' Jenny Vrentas reported on additional details of the civil suits as well Wednesday.

Among the new allegations is that Watson received massages in a private hotel and club in Houston for which the Houston Texans provided him a membership. Per Vrentas, Watson said in a deposition that the Texans' directory of security, Brent Naccara, supplied him with a nondisclosure agreement he subsequently had some of the massage therapists sign.

It always seemed likely Watson would miss time in 2022 because of a suspension, and the Browns seemed to structure his contract to minimize the financial hit he would take if suspended.

Beyond potentially extending the NFL's investigation, the new lawsuits and Vrentas' reporting have strengthened calls for the league to not take the allegations against Watson lightly.

The Browns signed Jacoby Brissett to back up Watson and serve as a stopgap if Watson is suspended. Should the three-time Pro Bowler miss half of the season or more, though, starting Brissett wouldn't be ideal for a team with big aspirations.

Digging their heels in with interested suitors over a Mayfield trade could be a blessing in disguise for the Browns because he would arguably be better than Brissett. But the two sides would likely have a lot of work to do to rebuild trust.

Cleveland Browns star Deshaun Watson received multiple massages at a private hotel and club for which the Houston Texans had provided him a membership, according to a New York Times investigation published Tuesday.

Per the Times' Jenny Vrentas, Watson said in a deposition he had some of his massage therapists sign a copy of a nondisclosure agreement that had been left in his locker by the Texans' director of security, Brent Naccara.

Rusty Hardin, Watson's lawyer, said the quarterback "continues to vehemently deny" the allegations that have led to 24 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

"We can say when the real facts are known this issue will appear in a different light," Hardin said.

Vrentas reported Watson set up massage appointments with at least 66 women between the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2021. While he was still a member of the team, the Texans indirectly helped facilitate the sessions:

It's unclear whether the Texans knew how many massages Watson was getting or who was providing them. But their resources helped support his massage habit away from the team. Watson acknowledged in a deposition that the Texans arranged for him to have 'a place' at The Houstonian. He used the fitness club, dined there and also set up massages in hotel rooms.

In March 2021, the Texans issued a statement saying they "became aware of a civil lawsuit involving Deshaun Watson through a social media post last night" and added that "this is the first time we heard of the matter."

However, Vrentas reported Nia Smith shared text messages from Watson on Instagram in November 2020 and said she "could really expose you" in reference to the three-time Pro Bowler after they had multiple massage sessions. Smith is among those who have filed suit, alleging he made continued sexual advances without her consent during sessions.

Watson said during a deposition he alerted Naccara about Smith's posts shortly after they surfaced. Following that conversation, Naccara supplied him with the NDA, which he began bringing to massage appointments.

Regarding his massage sessions at The Houstonian, Watson said to the best of his knowledge he didn't believe Texans officials knew of them happening. He also said the membership at the hotel was not under his name, and one woman who provided Watson with a massage at the hotel said "the room was registered to a member of the Texans' training staff," per Vrentas.

The investigation also reviewed communications between Hardin and prosecutors, including Johna Stallings, the Harris County (Texas) sex crimes prosecutor who was in charge of Watson's case. Former Harris County prosecutor Njeri Mathis Rutledge said the amount of contact between the two was "noteworthy."

Vrentas reported there was only one contact between prosecutors and the lawyers for the women suing Watson, though prosecutors did contact some of the women directly.

Although two grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges stemming from the sexual misconduct allegations this past March, his civil suits remain unresolved. He also remains subject to punishment from the NFL, which has yet to conclude its investigation.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in May the inquiry was "nearing its end," but that was before two more women came forward to file the 23rd and 24th suits against Watson.

Cleveland Browns star Deshaun Watson is facing a 24th lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault or misconduct.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk shared a statement from the plaintiff's attorney, Tony Buzbee:

The allegations made in this new case are strikingly similar to those made by many of the other victims. Lost in the media frenzy surrounding Deshaun Watson is that these are twenty-four strong, courageous women who, despite ridicule, legal shenanigans, and intense media scrutiny, continue to stand firm for what is right. Setting aside the legal wrangling, the complicity of the NFL, or the failures of the criminal justice system, the resounding story that should be told here is that these women are true heroes. I will say again, our entire team is incredibly proud to represent these women, and we look forward to the day when we can lay out their cases in detail in front of a jury.

Rusty Hardin, Watson's attorney, issued a statement on the latest lawsuit, saying his legal team had yet to investigate the new filing:

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday the Browns are "trying to be respectful of the process."

Defector's Kalyn Kahler shared a portion of the suit that lays out the allegations:

The woman said she and Watson set up a massage session on Aug. 9, 2020. Watson allegedly "demanded that she work on his inner thighs and quadriceps," and his "tone became aggressive as he repeatedly demanded that she go higher and higher into his inner thighs."

The towel that was covering Watson fell off during the massage, and the plaintiff said he proceeded to masturbate in front of her.

Per Kahler, the woman decided to file suit "after reading that Watson has no regrets and that he has done nothing wrong."

During his introductory press conference with the Browns, the veteran quarterback maintained his innocence and told reporters, "I don't have any regrets."

Beginning in March 2021, 22 separate civil suits were filed accusing Watson of sexual assault or misconduct. A 23rd suit was filed Tuesday.

Days later, Hardin drew criticism when he said on SportsRadio 610's Payne & Pendergast that engaging in sexual activities during or after a massage isn't criminal unless money changes hands for that purpose.

Hardin addressed the comments, saying he was only speaking hypothetically and that Watson "did nothing wrong."

In March, a second grand jury in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, but the civil suits remain open. The three-time Pro Bowler remains subject to punishment from the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in May the league had no firm timeline for when its investigation into Watson would conclude but acknowledged the NFL was "nearing the end."

That was before the 23rd and 24th suits were filed, so it's unclear whether the inquiry will extend further.

Running back D'Ernest Johnson agreed to a one-year contract Saturday to return to the Cleveland Browns in restricted free agency.

Johnson's agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the deal is worth up to $2.4 million with more than $900,000 guaranteed.

The 26-year-old Johnson has been with the Browns since they signed him in 2019.

After starring at South Florida, Johnson's first foray into professional football was as a member of the Alliance of American Football's Orlando Apollos in 2019.

He impressed and parlayed that into a deal with the Browns, which led to his making the team in 2019 out of training camp.

While active for all 16 games in each of his first two seasons, Johnson was used sparingly. That changed last season because running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt missed time with injuries.

Johnson started two of the 17 games he appeared in and rushed for a career-high 534 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

He also set career marks with 19 receptions for 137 yards.

Cleveland figures to pass more this season following the acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson, but the running game has been a huge part of the Browns' recent success.

With Chubb, Hunt and Johnson behind an elite offensive line, Cleveland can wear down opposing defenses more effectively than almost any other team in the league.

Johnson should be part of that unit again in 2022, but he will remain third on the depth chart.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will soon have another civil lawsuit filed against him.

Tony Buzbee, the attorney who is representing all of the women suing Watson, told cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot that a 24th civil lawsuit will be filed against the quarterback Monday by another massage therapist who alleges sexual misconduct during his past appointments.

The news comes three days after a 23rd woman, Nia Smith, filed a civil suit against Watson in Texas alleging sexual misconduct.

According to Jake Trotter of ESPN, Smith changed her mind about filing the suit against the quarterback after Ashley Solis and Kyla Hayes went on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and condemned the Browns for signing him to a five-year contract with an NFL-record $230 million guaranteed.

Solis and Hayes have both filed suits against Watson alleging sexual misconduct.

Watson's attorney, Rusty Hardin, later said in a statement that the quarterback "vehemently denies the allegations" from Smith.

Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson in March on nine of the 10 criminal complaints alleging sexual assault or misconduct, with the 10th complaint not being presented by prosecutors to the grand jury.

Roughly a week later, the Houston Texans traded him to the Browns.

The NFL is still in the process of finishing its investigation into the allegations, and Watson could be suspended under the league's personal-conduct policy.

"I think we're nearing the end of the investigative period," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said late last month. "Then it will be handled by our disciplinary officer."

There is no timeline for the announcement of the league's findings.

If he is available, Watson is set to be the Browns' starting quarterback when the team opens the 2022 regular season against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11.

If Watson is suspended, Cleveland could turn to Baker Mayfield provided the franchise doesn't trade him this summer or Mayfield doesn't hold out after he requested to be dealt. The team also signed Jacoby Brissett in free agency this offseason.

Watson hasn't played an NFL game since the 2020 season after requesting a trade from the Texans and sitting out the entire 2021 campaign amid the allegations.

Rusty Hardin, the lawyer representing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, released a statement Friday to clarify a comment he made about the legality of receiving a "happy ending" at the conclusion of a massage.

During an appearance on SportsRadio 610's Payne & Pendergast in Houston, Hardin said it is "not a crime" to engage in sexual activity during or after a massage as long as the sexual activities aren't paid for:

Watson is facing 23 civil lawsuits filed by women who have accused the quarterback of sexual assault or misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Two grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges this year due to insufficient evidence.

Hardin referenced that fact in the statement he released Friday and also clarified what he was talking about during the interview:

The attorney noted that he was speaking generally and not specifically about Watson's case. Hardin also said Watson had consensual sex with three of his accusers and did not pay for sexual contact.

Hardin's comments echoed what Watson had said previously, as he admitted to having sex with three of the plaintiffs, calling the encounters consensual.

Amid the allegations and a trade request, Watson did not play at all for the Houston Texans last season.

After the first grand jury declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson, he was traded to the Browns in March for first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as a 2023 third-round pick and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024.

Cleveland also signed Watson to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million, marking the largest guaranteed deal in NFL history.

In four seasons with the Texans, the 26-year-old Watson was a three-time Pro Bowler, which explains why the Browns were willing to take a chance on him.

While Watson isn't facing any criminal charges currently, he is still facing a bevy of civil suits and could receive discipline from the NFL in the form of a suspension if it finds he violated the league's personal conduct policy.

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett isn't concerned about Baker Mayfield amid the quarterback's standoff with the organization.

Speaking to reporters during Wednesday's organized team activities, Garrett said Mayfield will "land on his feet."

"I hope the best for him," Garrett said. "I hope he moves on and he does well for himself. ... He's played well when he's healthy. When he's healthy, he can do some pretty good things for a team. Just has to find his niche again. I think he has to prove himself, has to get healthy."

Mayfield has been hovering over everything that has happened with the Browns for most of the offseason.

"It's in the mutual interest of both sides for us to move on," Mayfield told ESPN's Adam Schefter in March after he officially requested a trade. "The relationship is too far gone to mend. It's in the best interests of both sides to move on."

The Browns acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans three days after Mayfield made his request. They also signed Jacoby Brissett to be their backup.

Mayfield has been linked to the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks since his trade request became public.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported May 20 that neither the Panthers nor Seahawks have "ruled out" a deal for the 27-year-old, but they are waiting to see if the Browns absorb a "much greater portion" of his $18.9 million salary to facilitate a trade.

Cleveland appears to be operating from a position of no leverage. Mayfield has made his feelings about the situation clear.

The Browns have already added another starter, though Watson's status remains uncertain as he could face discipline from the NFL under the personal conduct policy. He faces 23 civil lawsuits filed by women accusing him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct.

Mayfield has been Cleveland's starting quarterback for the past four seasons. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft after winning the 2017 Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma.

In 60 appearances for the Browns, Mayfield has thrown for 14,125 yards and 92 touchdowns with a 61.6 completion percentage. He led the team to the playoffs during the 2020 season when it defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round.