Browns HC Kevin Stefanski offers no comment on new Deshaun Watson allegations

Earlier this week, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't comment on if quarterback Baker Mayfield would be excused from attending next week's mandatory minicamp. Of course, the Browns have Deshaun Watson serving as their new QB1 following a blockbuster March trade. 

It's now known Mayfield and the Browns came to a mutual decision for the 27-year-old to remain away from the team, but reporters had other questions for Stefanski on Wednesday. 

Watson was already facing 24 active civil lawsuits regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions before a New York Times story emerged Tuesday that, among other things, claims the 26-year-old met with at least 66 different women from fall 2019 through spring 2021 for massage appointments, per Sarah Barshop and Jake Trotter of ESPN. 

According to the NFL's website, Stefanski danced around questions about those new accusations while speaking with media members. 

"I think for me, I'm going to be respectful of the investigation, of the legal proceedings and let that play out," Stefanski responded to one individual. 

Watson has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and two grand juries declined to indict him. However, details mentioned in multiple lawsuits and the NY Times piece suggest a concerning pattern of behavior for a star signal-caller who signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns after he was traded by the Houston Texans. 

Stefanski was asked Wednesday about Watson's status as the team's new offensive CEO. 

"We're here making sure we get a good practice in; the guys did a nice job out there today. I'm not going to comment past that," Stefanski remarked. "We'll be respectful of the process, be respectful of the legal proceedings."

Back in late May, Stefanski insisted the Browns completed "a lot of work on Deshaun the person" before making the controversial trade.