The Cleveland Browns have been doing their due diligence on Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and are expected to meet with the quarterback Tuesday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Good Morning Football.
The Atlanta Falcons are also in the mix for a potential trade for Watson and hope to meet with the quarterback on Wednesday, Rapoport later reported.
Watson met with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers on Monday, Rapoport and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. The Buccaneers -- who saw the return of Tom Brady on Sunday -- are the only NFC South team to have not either met with Watson or potentially have a meeting scheduled.
On Friday, a Harris County (Texas) grand jury did not find enough evidence to charge Watson with a crime following allegations of sexual misconduct stemming from massage therapy sessions. Watson, 26, also faces 22 civil lawsuits, but Friday's news opened the door to trade discussions for Watson, who remains under NFL investigation and is subject to potential discipline under the league's personal-conduct policy.
Watson requested a trade from Houston before the allegations. He was inactive for all 17 games during the 2021 NFL season.
The Texans would prefer to ship Watson to the NFC, but Watson's no-trade clause will play the most significant role in ultimately determining his next destination. If he deems the rebuilt Browns the ideal place to restart his career -- and the Browns brass and ownership agree -- he could land in Cleveland.
