Time is winding down for the Dolphins and Texans to fully agree on a trade for Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Miami owner Stephen Ross has reportedly approved the trade, but on the condition that Watson’s legal issues are settled before the deal is done, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Watson is facing 22 civil lawsuits of sexual misconduct and 10 women have filed police complaints. Watson denied the allegations soon after they were made public in March.
The Dolphins and Texans have reportedly agreed to compensation on a deal that will send Watson to Miami, but his off-field issues could halt the entire process. And it’s unlikely that Watson’s legal woes will be resolved before the trade deadline on Nov. 2.
The Panthers — the other team closely linked to Watson — will no longer pursue him this season, NFL Network reported on Wednesday. Watson has only waived his no-trade clause for the Dolphins so far.
Ross also wants to know if commissioner Roger Goodell plans to suspend Watson under the NFL’s personal conduct policy and if so, for how long, according to the outlet.
“I know what it’s about and I’m not dealing with it,” Ross told reporters on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings.
On Tuesday, Goodell said the NFL doesn’t have enough information to place Watson on the on the exempt list, which is equivalent to that paid administrative leave.
“We don’t have all the access to that information and pride ourselves on not interfering with it,” Goodell said at an NFL owners meeting in New York. “That process is ongoing … We don’t feel we have that necessary information to place him on the exempt list.”
Per the collective bargaining agreement, the NFL will not discipline Watson until his legal situation has been adjudicated.