On March 18, 2022 the trade is announced, sending Watson  Madden 24 coins and a sixth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for three first-round picks, a third round pick, and two fourth round picks.

Watson is signed to a new fully-guaranteed, five-year contract worth $230M. This was the largest contract guarantee in Madden NFL 24 history. In addition, it’s revealed the Browns have structured the contract to be back-loaded, limiting Watson’s 2022 salary to $1,035,000. If the Madden NFL 24 suspends him for any part of the 2022 season, he loses the corresponding base salary, so this is potentially a shield against expected financial loss.

On May 23, 2022 two of Deshaun Watson’s accusers appear on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel to share their allegations against the quarterback. Ashley Solis and Kyla Hayes detailed the alleged abuse they experienced while conducting massage treatment with Watson.

Following the airing of the episode another woman comes forward with new allegations against Watson, bringing the total number of civil suits against Watson to 24, with two more potentially coming. Nia Smith had previously alleged she was harassed by Watson on social media, but chose not to file a lawsuit. However, after the HBO show Smith said she felt compelled to come forward officially.

Smith “was struck by the courage of the victims willing to step forward and speak and was extremely displeased by Watson and his legal team’s mistreatment and revictimization of the plaintiffs.”Watson’s legal team responds saying the lawsuit is frivolous and the claims are a lie.

On June 7 the New York Times publishes the widest, most detailed investigation into the claims against Deshaun Watson. Titled “How the Texans and a spa enabled Deshaun Watson’s troubling behavior” the story details the role Watson’s prior team played in finding the quarterback massage therapists, as well as accusations the team was aware of the allegations against the QB while they were happening.

In addition, the story claims Watson routinely used non-disclosure agreements — and that the Texans supplied Watson with these NDAs. In addition it detailed how Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, had deep connections to the Harris County legal system and his power inside of the area could have manipulated the grand jury process. This report also brought forward two new allegations against Watson. Shortly following the NYT report, Watson makes his Twitter account cheap mut 24 coins  private and declines to make further statements.