A majority of the lawsuits against Deshaun Watson have reportedly been settled, according to attorney Tony Buzbee. Buzbee, who represents the plaintiffs, said that 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed against the Cleveland Browns quarterback had been settled.
NFL fans rushed to social media to share their thoughts on the situation. One fan declared that the quarterback was really going to play this year:
Gabb Goudy of FanDuel tweeted that the Cleveland signal-caller should've settled months ago:
Breezy, host of the Sports & Stilettos podcast, commented that it was no surprise Watson needed a fully guaranteed contract from the Browns:
A fan sarcastically suggested that nothing screamed innocent like settlements:
This fan had some choice words for the Cleveland signal-caller:
Hailee Murphy, a writer for Belly Up Sports, stated that the time had come to trade quarterback Baker Mayfield:
A Baltimore Ravens fan addressed the NFL, writing that the Watson saga would be an albatross (around the neck) for the organization.
Another fan chimed in, saying that the other lawsuits will get settled quickly, urging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to get on with training camps:
One fan found it hard to imagine being excited about "some dude (who plays) for a team you root for" having only four sexual assault lawsuits pending against him:
Deshaun Watson and the settled lawsuits
Attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement that all but four of the lawsuits had been settled and that the terms of those settlements were confidential:
“Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled. We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”
In response, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said this development would have no bearing on the league's investigation into the Browns quarterback and any subsequent punishment:
"Today’s development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.''
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit USA Today, Mary Kay Cabot, and H/T Sportskeeda.