Maybe the timeline is a little different than originally thought.
For months it has appeared that Deshaun Watson’s legal issues came about after the quarterback demanded Houston trade him. Some have even speculated the lawsuits are a result of the trade demand, with some even suggesting the Texans played some type of role.
However, according to a new report, the first lawsuit was already in motion long before Watson asked to be moved.
Sports Illustrated obtained text messages that revealed Ashley Solis, who filed the first lawsuit against the quarterback, was in touch with Tony Buzbee’s law firm in late December 2020, meaning she was in touch with someone at the firm before the 2020 regular season had even ended. She didn’t officially file suit until March, though.
In total, 23 lawsuits were filed against Watson, with one having since been dropped. The Houston Police Department has opened its own investigation, but there has been no word regarding where things stand from a criminal standpoint. The NFL is also investigating, and at the very least Watson is likely looking at serving some type of suspension before taking the field again.
The only thing that really seems certain at this point is that the marriage between Watson and Houston is over. Once the suits are settled, expect the former Clemson quarterback to be moved and fairly quickly.
