BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson didn't address the accusations or reasons behind his time away from the Browns. No discussion. No reflection.
On the verge of his first regular-season game in nearly two years, Watson stayed clear of more controversy.
Cleveland's new starting quarterback refused to address non-football questions on Thursday in his first comments since returning from an 11-game NFL suspension over sexual misconduct allegations.
Speaking to the media for the first time since his agreement with the league was announced in August, Watson declined to discuss his ban or the reasons for it. He has been accused by more than two dozen women of sexual harassment and assault during massage therapy sessions.
On Sunday, the 27-year-old will make his long-delayed debut for the Browns in Houston, where he began his career, rose to stardom and where his alleged off-field misconduct happened.
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Watson, who was reinstated Monday, opened with a brief statement thanking trainers, teammates and Cleveland fans for their support. He said he had been advised by his “legal and clinical teams” to only address “football questions.”
“I’m focusing on football,” he said. “My main focus is locked in on the game plan and trying to execute and make sure that I’m keeping the standard up for the Cleveland Browns so we can try to win."
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Watson agreed to the lengthy suspension, a $5 million fine and to undergo professional counseling and therapy after an independent arbitrator ruled that he violated the league's personal conduct policy.
Watson has settled 23 civil lawsuits brought by the women, while two others, including one filed in October, are pending.
The three-time Pro Bowler, who signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns in March, wouldn't say what he learned during his punishment or if the league-mandated counseling helped.
“I respect your question," Watson said inside Cleveland's indoor field house. "I understand. But that’s more in that phase of clinical and legal stuff and I’ve been advised to stay away from that and keep that personal.”
Watson's return to the field Sunday will be his first game in 700 days. In addition to facing former teammates and fans who once cheered for him, some of the women who sued him over the allegations are expected to attend, according to their attorney.
Watson insists he isn't concerned about a potentially negative reaction and hostile environment inside NRG Stadium.
“I’m focusing on just being the starting quarterback and executing the game plan,” he said. "That’s my main focus. I’m not worried about the atmosphere. I have to go in and execute the game plan.”
Instead, Watson is holding on to “great memories” with the Texans, who drafted the former Clemson star in 2017 and made him their franchise QB,
“I respect the whole organization of the Houston Texans," he said. "I respect the McNair family. I respect everyone that was there that drafted me in 2017. I have so much love for the city of Houston and H Town.”
Watson’s suspension started Aug. 30. He was banned from the team’s facility and returned Oct. 10, when he was allowed to attend meetings and work out. He returned to practice on Nov. 16.
Watson has always maintained he didn't harass or force himself on any women. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him over the allegations.
He took all the first-team reps with Cleveland's starting offense on Wednesday, moving ahead of Jacoby Brissett, who started the Browns' first 11 games.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper said Watson's return gave the team a lift.
“It was cool just to see him out there and out practicing," Cooper said. "You could see it in his face that he was kind of excited to be out there. It was pretty cool.”
The Browns (4-7) are hoping Watson can help them make the playoffs in what has been a disappointing season to this point. Cleveland's chances are slim, at best, and he acknowledged maybe being rusty from his layoff.
“It might take time. It might not take time,” he said. “I just want to go out there and do what I want to do, make plays as much as I possibly can. Two years is definitely a long time, but at the same time I’ve been doing this since I was 6 years old. So just like riding a bike, I want to go out there and just find the pedals, get my transition going, and then just let everything kind of come to me.”
New quarterbacks not working out across NFL this season
DENVER BRONCOS
New QB: Russell Wilson
Old QB: Teddy Bridgewater
Price paid: Three players, five draft picks and a $245 million extension with $165 million guaranteed, including a $50 million bonus at signing.
How it started: General manager George Paton wanted to solve the team's long-running quarterback quandary and believed the answer was Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowler during a decade in Seattle. He was Denver's sixth opening-day starter in six seasons.
How it’s going: Wilson hasn’t resembled the star he was in Seattle and rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett hasn’t helped with using so many shotgun formations. When Wilson’s under center, he’s a textbook example of mechanics and footwork. In the shotgun, he’s all over the place and not seeing his open receivers often enough.
Where it’s headed: Wilson is sticking around because of the big contract. Hackett’s on the hot seat, though Paton gave him a vote of confidence in London before Denver’s Oct. 27 win over the Jaguars snapped a four-game skid.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
New QB: Matt Ryan
Old QB: Carson Wentz
Price paid: 2022 third-round pick
How it started: Indy soured on Wentz when he refused the COVID-19 vaccine and his poor play in the final two games, after testing positive for the virus, cost the Colts a playoff spot. GM Chris Ballard sent Wentz to Washington, then waited until Atlanta started searching for Ryan's successor. Indy thought it pulled a coup by acquiring a proven leader who was still playing well.
How it’s going: What looked like a good match has been anything but. Behind a rebuilt and underachieving offensive line, Ryan struggled. He threw nine interceptions, had 11 fumbles and 12 total turnovers — all league highs. He also was sacked 24 times and took 59 hits before being benched in favor of Sam Ehlinger. The result: offensive coordinator Marcus Brady was fired last week and Reich joined him on the unemployment line Monday.
Where it’s headed: Ryan’s future in Indy looks bleak. He has one season still on his contract, and it would cost Indy $18 million in dead money to cut him. Could he be traded? Maybe. But how much interest is there in a 37-year-old quarterback after his worst pro season?
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
New QB: Carson Wentz
Old QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick/Taylor Heinicke
Price paid: 2022 second and third-round picks, conditional 2023 third-round pick (received later 2022 second-rounder back with Wentz)
How it started: Wentz went into training camp as the unquestioned starter ahead of Heinicke and rookie Sam Howell. Wentz and coach Ron Rivera brushed off some practice inaccuracies. Then Wentz rebounded from throwing back-to-back interceptions in the season opener to lead the Commanders to a comeback victory against Jacksonville.
How it’s going: Wentz threw 10 TD passes, six interceptions and played through a broken finger at Chicago to snap the Commanders’ losing streak. He hasn't played since having surgery while Heinicke has led Washington to a 2-1 mark with Wentz on injured reserve. The team hasn't said when Wentz may return, and Rivera doesn't intend to make a decision until Wentz is back.
Where it's headed: Wentz’s contract is structured to give the Commanders an out after this season with no salary cap penalty, but a lot will depend on the rest of this season and whether Rivera remains the coach. Howell slipped to the fifth round but could be the next in a long line of Washington quarterbacks of the future.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
New QB: Baker Mayfield
Old QB: Sam Darnold
Price paid: 2023 conditional fifth-round pick
How it started: After trying and failing to acquire Deshaun Watson, the Panthers pursued Mayfield but didn't get him from Cleveland until July. That cost him practice snaps and time to learn the playbook, but Mayfield still beat Darnold for the No. 1 job before the season opener.
How it's going: Mayfield has been unproductive, going 1-4 as a starter and posting the league's worst QB rating. P.J. Walker took over when Mayfield injured his left ankle in Week 5. Even after Walker's dreadful game at Cincinnati, interim coach Steve Wilks stuck with him.
Where it’s headed: Mayfield could be demoted to No. 3, maybe even released, with Darnold activated from injured reserve. It’s extremely unlikely the Panthers re-sign Mayfield when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in March — if he makes it that long.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
New QB: Jacoby Brissett/ Deshaun Watson
Old QB: Baker Mayfield
Price paid: First-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, a third-round pick in 2022 and a fourth-round pick in 2024
How it started: The Browns didn't offer Mayfield a long-term deal after he played through a shoulder injury in 2021. His status with the team took a hit and a poor '21 lowered his market value. When Watson became available, the Browns entered the bidding late and were initially rebuffed by the three-time Pro Bowler. But owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam changed Watson’s mind with a fully guaranteed, five-year, $240 million deal despite his legal issues. Mayfield eventually was dealt to Carolina for a fifth-rounder — after the Browns agreed to eat most of his 2022 salary.
How it’s going: Knowing Watson might be suspended by the NFL, the Browns signed Brissett, a former starter with Indianapolis, as a free agent. Brissett has been better than expected and has provided invaluable leadership. The lone knock: He's had a few costly turnovers.
Where it’s headed: Watson is expected to return when the league's 11-game ban for violating the personal conduct policy ends. He was accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women while he played in Houston. He’s eligible to resume practicing next week and if reinstated, could make his Browns debut Dec. 4 — against the Texans. He hasn’t played in a regular-season game since Jan. 3, 2021.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
New QB: Geno Smith
Old QB: Russell Wilson
Price paid: $3.5 million, one-year contract
How it started: The Seahawks re-signed Smith to compete with Drew Lock following the trade with Denver. Wilson’s longtime backup had the advantage throughout the offseason and training camp and when Lock missed a preseason start after testing positive for the coronavirus, it was clear Smith would be the starter.
How it’s going: Smith is one of the top contenders for comeback player of the year. It's the first time since 2014 he's been a full-time starter and he leads the NFL in completion percentage, is third in passer rating and tied for fifth in TD passes. He’s been the biggest surprise for Seattle.
Where it’s headed: This was viewed as a bridge season as the Seahawks tried to draft a new franchise quarterback in April. That may still happen, but Smith might be the best short-term solution. NFC West-leading Seattle is 6-3 faces a decision about re-signing him or letting him test the free agency.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
New QB: Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky
Old QB: Ben Roethlisberger
Price paid: A 2-year, $14-million free-agent deal for Trubisky, the 20th pick in the 2022 draft for Pickett
How it started: Following Roethlisberger's retirement, Trubisky was tabbed the starter at the end of training camp. He spent 3½ games largely avoiding mistakes but struggled to throw downfield and was benched at halftime of a loss to the Jets in Week 4.
How it’s going: Pickett has shown plenty of fight, but the Steelers' only victory since he supplanted Trubisky came against Tampa Bay on Oct. 16 when Trubisky relieved Pickett (concussion) and threw for 144 yards and the clinching TD pass. Pickett has retained the starting job and he has looked fine between the 20s but has struggled to generate points and has thrown eight interceptions.
Where it’s headed: Pittsburgh is all in on Pickett but also declined to explore trade options for Trubisky, who has said and done all the right things since being demoted. Trubisky’s presence gives the Steelers a reliable backup, but the starting job is Pickett’s for the foreseeable future.
ATLANTA FALCONS
New QB: Marcus Mariota
Old QB: Matt Ryan
Price paid: A two-year, $18.75 million free agent deal with a $5 million signing bonus and $6.75 million guaranteed, plus a $12 million option for 2023 and a $3 million roster bonus due in March.
How it started: With third-round pick Desmond Ridder serving as Mariota’s backup, the thought was Mariota would have a short leash. Instead, he has taken every snap and has the Falcons tied for first in the NFC South.
How it’s going: Mariota has been a good fit in coach Arthur Smith’s offense. He’s not going to lead the league in passing, but he has 10 TD passes with six interceptions and has added a dual-threat presence Ryan could not. Mariota has 340 yards rushing and three TD runs.
Where it’s headed: Mariota clearly has Smith’s confidence and support. Smith brushed off a question about playing Ridder with a sarcastic reply about having the rookie hand the ball off just to make critics happy. Still, there is an expectation Ridder will play at some point, but it will be as a backup as Mariota appears firmly entrenched as the starter.
