Deshaun Watson’s legal troubles became one of the biggest controversies in modern NFL history after dozens of women accused the quarterback of sexual misconduct connected mainly to massage appointments. Beginning in 2021, Watson faced a series of civil lawsuits containing allegations ranging from inappropriate sexual behavior to sexual assault. Watson consistently denied sexually assaulting anyone and maintained that any sexual activity was consensual.
After years of litigation and confidential settlements, the civil cases have now essentially reached their conclusion. By February 2026, the final two lawsuits against Watson had been dismissed, bringing an end to litigation involving 27 lawsuits filed against him since 2021.
How the Deshaun Watson Lawsuits Began
The first lawsuit was filed in Harris County, Texas, in March 2021 while Watson was still a quarterback for the Houston Texans. Massage therapist Ashley Solis alleged inappropriate sexual behavior during a massage appointment.
More women soon filed similar lawsuits. The plaintiffs generally alleged that Watson contacted massage therapists, often through social media, and engaged in unwanted sexual conduct during appointments.
By 2022, Watson was facing 24 civil lawsuits. Watson and his lawyers denied the allegations, saying he had not assaulted or forced the women into sexual activity.
The allegations led to investigations separate from the civil lawsuits. Two Texas grand juries considered criminal complaints involving Watson but declined to indict him. A grand jury decision not to indict does not determine the outcome of a civil claim, which operates under different legal standards.
Watson Settled Most Lawsuits in 2022
A major development came in June 2022 when Watson reached confidential settlements with 20 of the 24 women who had lawsuits pending against him.
The settlement amounts and other terms were not publicly disclosed. Settlement also did not amount to a court finding that Watson was liable for the conduct alleged in the complaints.
Three of the four remaining cases were subsequently resolved in 2022, leaving other litigation to continue.
Houston Texans Also Faced Claims
The controversy expanded beyond Watson when women made claims against the Houston Texans, alleging that the organization had enabled Watson’s conduct or failed to prevent it.
The Texans denied knowing about the alleged misconduct before the allegations became public. In July 2022, the franchise reached confidential settlements with 30 women who had made or intended to make claims involving the organization.
Those settlements were separate from the individual lawsuits against Watson.
NFL Suspended Watson for 11 Games
The absence of criminal charges did not prevent the NFL from disciplining Watson under its personal conduct policy.
An independent disciplinary officer initially imposed a six-game suspension in August 2022. The NFL appealed that punishment.
Watson, the NFL and the NFL Players Association ultimately reached an agreement imposing an 11-game suspension and a $5 million fine. Watson was also required to undergo professional evaluation and follow a treatment program.
The NFL disciplinary proceeding was separate from both the criminal investigations and civil litigation.
A New Lawsuit Was Filed in 2024
Watson faced another significant legal challenge in September 2024 when a woman identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and battery related to an alleged October 2020 incident.
Watson denied the allegations through attorney Rusty Hardin.
The lawsuit did not proceed to trial. In October 2024, attorneys for both sides confirmed that the claim had been resolved through a confidential settlement.
Final Deshaun Watson Lawsuits Ended in 2026
Two lawsuits remained unresolved heading toward 2026 and had been scheduled for trials in February and March.
Those trials never occurred. The cases were dismissed with prejudice in January 2026 after settlements were reached. A dismissal “with prejudice” generally means the plaintiff cannot bring the same claim again.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented 26 of the 27 plaintiffs, subsequently confirmed that his final Watson case had been settled.
Where the Deshaun Watson Lawsuits Stand Today
As of 2026, there are no remaining civil lawsuits from the group of 27 cases that began with the allegations against Watson in 2021. Twenty-four ended through confidential settlements, one was withdrawn, and the final two were dismissed after settlements.
Watson was never criminally convicted over the allegations, and the Texas grand juries declined to indict him. At the same time, the NFL separately concluded that discipline was warranted under its conduct rules and imposed one of the largest player fines in league history.
Because most of the civil cases ended through confidential settlements rather than trials, courts never issued verdicts determining the truth of many of the individual allegations. The Deshaun Watson lawsuits therefore ended largely through private resolutions rather than final courtroom judgments.
