Deshaun Watson is once again the center of NFL discussions, but this time the conversation has taken unexpected turns, particularly concerning allegations against fellow player Justin Tucker. The Cleveland Browns quarterback, notorious for his past sexual assault allegations, finds himself trending not just for his own controversies, but due to how quickly social media linked him to the Baltimore Ravens kicker's recent accusations of inappropriate behavior.
Watson's situation is not new; he's faced serious sexual assault allegations primarily from massage therapists, which have left his NFL career hanging by threads of speculation and scrutiny. Nonetheless, the latest wave of criticism directed toward Tucker made many fans recall Watson's own past and the parallels between their experiences.
According to the Baltimore Banner, some six massage therapists have accused Tucker of disturbing conduct, claiming he brushed his genitals against them and left his ejaculate on treatment tables post-massage. At least two wellness centers have since banned him from their premises following these allegations.
The revelations surrounding Tucker have resulted in fervent discussions on platforms like Twitter. "Ravens fans jumping on Twitter to delete their Deshaun Watson and Ben Roethlisberger diddy posts," one user remarked, highlighting the blurry lines drawn between fandom loyalty and allegations of misconduct. Another Twitter user expressed their disbelief with: "I took a nap and woke up to see Justin Tucker and Deshaun Watson face morphed I’m begging for normalcy please," capturing the absurdity of the comparisons being drawn by football fans.
Tucker's lawyers, Thomas A. Clare and Steven J. Harrison, defended him by calling these claims "fictitious and utterly baseless." They firmly stated, "Mr. Tucker has never behaved inappropriately during any massage therapy session, and certainly never in the manner described. Any suggestion to the contrary is fictitious and utterly baseless." Clearly, Tucker faces serious ramifications as the controversy develops, but the fallout also reopens wounds of Watson's past actions and the lasting impact they have on his career.
While Watson's future remains uncertain, discussions about the Cleveland Browns' quarterback position have sparked interest surrounding the upcoming NFL Draft. Enter Shedeur Sanders, whose name has been increasingly circulated among analysts as potentially filling the void left by Watson's tumultuous future with the team.
According to former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, who also played for the Browns, Sanders possesses the tools necessary to be the franchise's next quarterback. Speaking recently on the NFL Network, Hawkins stated, "I like Shedeur Sanders as a talent. He has the arm strength and feel for the game. He’s a guy used to building programs... This is a guy who doesn’t rattle under pressure. He’s the son of the best athlete in the history of the world. All those things point to a quarterback who’s primed for the moment."
Sanders' impressive collegiate career—boasting nearly 7,000 passing yards and 70 touchdowns at Jackson State before transferring to the Colorado Buffaloes—has solidified his status as one of the most promising talents for the 2025 NFL Draft. His 2024 season stats, including over 4,100 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and an outstanding 74% completion rate, showcase consistency and capability, raising the question of whether Cleveland could bet on him as the replacement for Watson as they hold the No. 2 overall pick.
The Browns' general manager, Andrew Berry, addressed concerns about Sanders' potential fit with the organization by stating, "Shedeur is a really impressive young man. He’s poised, he’s calm, he’s smart, and you can tell he’s been raised by—quite honestly—a Hall of Fame dad." Yet, the Browns' notorious struggle with finding stability at the quarterback position raises alarm bells. Will Deion Sanders, the renowned coach and Shedeur's father, allow his son to enter the fray of Cleveland's tumultuous quarterback history?
While Sanders emerges as the tantalizing option, speculation has surfaced about the New York Giants possibly entering the mix as well, making it imperative for the Browns to act decisively before the draft. Insiders note the Giants have been scouting Sanders intensively, potentially leading to trade scenarios involving Cleveland's valuable pick.
Watson's once-promising career has been marred by controversy, and his future remains murky, especially now with the cloud of Tucker's allegations looming overhead as fans draw uncomfortable comparisons. The NFL Draft approaches, and all eyes are on how Cleveland will navigate these choppy waters—whether repairing Watson's legacy or making the bold move to bring in new blood like Sanders.