Browns observe Deshaun Watson's focus on leading them, even with HBO airing legal woes

BEREA — Deshaun Watson threw pinpoint passes, celebrated a highlight play made by his primary backup, Jacoby Brissett, met with military members who received a sneak peek at practice and presented linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. with a luxurious gift.

In Watson's Browns bubble, he is insulated from the controversy hanging over his head, at least for now.

Even a day after Watson's legal trouble entered the national TV spotlight on HBO's “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” the quarterback had a pep in his step and visible command of his new team on the practice fields at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

If one were to watch the Browns' second organized team activity practice of the offseason Wednesday with no knowledge of current events, there would be zero detectable signs of Watson facing 22 civil lawsuits from women accusing him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments and a potential NFL suspension stemming from the allegations.

Watson has denied all wrongdoing, and two Texas grand juries in March combined to decline to indict him on 10 criminal complaints. After the first grand jury rejected nine charges, a sweepstakes to acquire Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans kicked off. The Browns prevailed March 18 and gave Watson a five-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed.

Two of Watson's accusers, Ashley Solis and Kyla Hayes, provided detailed accounts of their accusations in an episode of “Real Sports” that aired Tuesday night, but Walker, cornerback Greg Newsome II and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said they hadn't watched the interviews and indicated they weren't a topic of discussion at team headquarters.

“We haven’t really talked about it as a team or anything,” Walker said after the Browns' first OTA practice open to media. “I didn’t even watch the TV last night, so I can’t speak on what was shown and everything.

“On the football field, he’s the quarterback. He’s locked in leading the offense, and he’s done that every day since he’s been here.”

Deshaun Watson didn't address Browns immediately after HBO put his legal trouble in national TV spotlight

Newsome also said Watson, 26, hasn't addressed the proverbial elephant in the room in a team setting.

“Nah, and I don’t think that’s any of our business,” Newsome said. “His job in here is to play football, and when he comes in here his job is football, not to tell us about his personal matters. He leaves those outside, and he handles those with his family.

“It’s a different aura about him, and you can tell he’s a great leader. He comes in the building [and] works every single day.”

Watson hasn't met with Browns beat writers since March 25, when he repeatedly insisted during his introductory news conference he has “never assaulted or disrespected or harassed any woman in my life.”

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Reporter Soledad O’Brien played the video clip of Watson's defense during her interview with Hayes on “Real Sports.” Hayes said, “It's kind of a constant reminder of what happened. And for him to say he's never did anything to a woman, it's a bold-faced lie.”

Solis and Hayes slammed the Browns for acquiring Watson and giving him a record-setting contract in guaranteed money. Solis said the deal felt like “a big screw you,” and Hayes said “it was sick to me” because she felt as if Watson had been rewarded for poor behavior.

“I read about [the 'Real Sports' episode],” Stefanski said. “I would tell you, we did a lot of work on that, as we’ve talked about. We did a lot of work on Deshaun the person, and there’s legal proceedings ongoing, there’s an investigation ongoing, so I won’t comment much further than that.”

Watson declined to speak to HBO because of the NFL's ongoing investigation into whether he violated its personal conduct policy, a spokesperson for Watson's lead attorney, Rusty Hardin, told the Beacon Journal on Monday.

Hardin did not return a voicemail Tuesday afternoon from the Beacon Journal seeking comment about two of Watson’s accusers appearing on HBO, but Hardin addressed the interviews Tuesday evening during an interview with Cleveland sports talk radio station 92.3 The Fan.

“Both of the women ... have been in the media before making the same allegations, and the allegations are not different,” Hardin said. “... It looks like more of the same — and more of the same that we take great issue with. We have been denying the allegations that they're voicing tonight from the very beginning. Deshaun has at least.”

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By all accounts, many of Watson's teammates are giving him the benefit of doubt. He embraced many of them on the field and discussed the intricacies of plays with receivers throughout practice.

After being interviewed by NFL officials for three days last week in Houston, Watson hosted more than 20 Browns players on the offensive side of the ball for team-bonding time and workouts last weekend in the Bahamas.

Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb and center Nick Harris explained the trip was productive and conducive to building team chemistry.

“He’s a great guy to be around,” Chubb said. “We all love him. He’s a natural leader. He’s been here since OTAs started. He took us on his own trip. I think those things bring in trust and bonding for our team.

“He can create big plays. He’s a playmaker, so he’ll be able to do anything and everything on the field and be more electric.

“The throws he makes are incredible. He’s definitely a special player. I can’t wait to work with him.”

The NFL's decision on whether it will suspend Deshaun Watson is widely expected in the coming months

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference Tuesday he thinks the league is nearing the end of its investigation.

Former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson, a disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the league and NFL Players Association, will render a decision on whether Watson violated the personal conduct policy. If Watson were to receive punishment and appeal, Goodell or his designee would handle the appeal, according to the rules outlined in the policy.

Hardin has repeatedly said the NFL wants to meet with Watson again and he believes a ruling will be made sometime this summer.

In the event Watson is not available to play, the Browns plan to start Brissett, whose long touchdown pass in a seven-on-seven drill to undrafted rookie receiver Mike Harley Jr. received loud cheers from teammates.

Still, Watson took all of the first-team repetitions and some additional ones with the No. 2 offense Wednesday. Watson refused to play for the Texans last season after requesting a trade in January 2021, so Stefanski conceded there is rust to be knocked off.

“I think he’s doing that,” the coach added.

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During a special teams period, Watson and No. 1 wide receiver Amari Cooper, another offseason trade acquisition, worked through several routes together on another field under the guidance of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing and receivers coach Chad O'Shea.

Communication is vital, and Watson hasn't been hesitant to talk in his new environment. That includes trash talking with teammates, as evidenced by Watson letting Walker hear about Brissett's deep connection with Harley.

“Going against a competitor, a guy that loves the game of football, an elite playmaker, an elite quarterback, there’s going to be a lot of trash talk during OTAs, minicamp, also during training camp,” Walker said. “But at the end of the day, we’re working toward a common goal, and that’s being Super Bowl champs.”

Anthony Walker Jr.'s gesture to new Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson doesn't go unnoticed

As Walker addressed reporters, Watson briefly interrupted the news conference to hug the linebacker and hand him a Rolex box. Asked whether the gift was the result of granting Watson jersey No. 4, Walker said, “We'll keep that on the hush.” Walker also kept the box closed in front of media.

When news of the trade broke, Walker sent Watson a text message saying, “Welcome to Cleveland, No. 4.” Watson had worn No. 4 with the Texans and Clemson University.

Walker had donned No. 4 last season. Now he's wearing No. 5.

The painless transfer of the number is more evidence the Browns are glad to have Watson despite everything he's facing away from his job.

“I can’t speak on anything else, but I know when he’s here he’s locked in and happy to be back on the field, and we’re happy to have him as our quarterback,” Walker said. “He’s confident, looks good throwing the ball and I know what he does on game day.”

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns observe Deshaun Watson's focus after HBO airs legal woes