Deshaun Watson will not Face Criminal Charges

Former Clemson Tigers QB Completes First Two Sessions of Depositions in Lawsuit

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will be not face any criminal charges. 

Si.com's Madeline Coleman reported a grand jury returned nine “no” bills on nine criminal complaints against the former Clemson star on Friday. The decision comes the same day his civil deposition began, and as previously reported, Watson did invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Rusty Hardin, Watson's attorney, released the following statement. 

“We are delighted that the grand jury has looked at the matter thoroughly and reached the same conclusion we did. Deshaun Watson did not commit any crimes and is not guilty of any offenses.

“Now that the criminal investigations have been completed, we are happy to move forward with the civil case depositions. We will vigorously defend those cases with every ounce we have.

“There were no crimes here but there is a plaintiffs’ attorney churning up negative press and churning up his clients hoping for a pay day. These cases have been the product of a lawyer maximizing his own personal publicity at the expense of others, including his own clients.

“It is time to let Deshaun move on.”

Watson still faces 22 civil cases filed against him dating back to last March for allege sexual harassment and assault.

However, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapaport, now that there will be no criminal charges expect Watson's trade market to ramp up quickly.

Now that the criminal matters are over — and Deshaun Watson won’t be charged — expect his trade market to ramp up quickly. Teams have been waiting. This clears the path for a deal by the start of the league year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2022

ESPN also reported on Friday that Watson completed two sessions of depositions in the civil suit filed against him. 

Watson, who didn't play during the 2021 season, has been seeking a trade from the Texans since last year, but after the lawsuits were filed, his departure from the franchise was put on hold. Now that there are no criminal charges being brought against him, it opens up the opportunity for the Texans to make a deal with another team.

Watson is currently going to cost Houston over $40 million on the salary cap, so there is that incentive to move him before free agency begins on March 16. With Aaron Rodgers officially staying in Green Bay and Russell Wilson being traded from Seattle to Denver on Monday, Watson could be the most desirable quarterback on the market, but the asking price by the Texans remains steep.

--Brad Senkiw contributed to this story