Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could learn his fate regarding any potential discipline by the NFL sooner rather than later. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFL officially begins meetings with Deshaun Watson

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/17/22

Meetings have officially begun between Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and the NFL investigative team in charge of determining whether he violated the league's code of conduct.

Source: The first direct meetings between the #NFL investigative team led by Lisa Friel and #Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson have begun in Texas. The league seeks to determine if he violated the NFL Personal Conduct Policy and, if so, whether discipline should be imposed.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) May 17, 2022

It was reported on Monday that the in-person meetings would begin sometime this week. It was simultaneously reported that Watson plans to jet off to the Bahamas with other members of the Browns offense.

Watson still faces 22 civil lawsuits from women who have accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions while he was a member of the Houston Texans. While he has maintained that he did nothing wrong, the NFL will likely seek disciplinary action if it is found he broke the league's code of conduct.

The belief is that meeting with Watson directly is the final stage of the investigation process. There is no word, however, whether the league will make a ruling before the 22 civil suits are resolved.

Watson sat out the entire 2021 season because the Texans wouldn't honor his request for a trade and because his legal issues made him an unattractive trade piece to most teams. The Browns signed Watson to a five-year $230 million deal in March 2022.

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