Goodell: 'No time frame' for decision on Watson's potential discipline

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday the league is still investigating the allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.

"We're looking at this seriously," Goodell said, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic. "Our investigators will hopefully have access to more information and that will help. ... (An) independent party will make a final decision on findings.

"There's no time frame on (a decision for a potential suspension)," he added, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

A second grand jury recently declined to indict Watson following a police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. The 26-year-old still faces 22 lawsuits from women who say he committed sexual assault and sexual misconduct.

The Browns acquired Watson from the Houston Texans on March 18 in exchange for a package that includes three first-round draft picks. Cleveland then signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230-million contract.

"We've been very clear with every club, whether the criminal matter gets resolved or not, that the personal conduct policy is very important to us," Goodell said, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. "They understand that's something we're going to pursue."

Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said they concluded a deep investigation into Watson's situation before making the deal.

Watson didn't appear in any games last year even though the NFL ruled him eligible to play. The three-time Pro Bowler, who in 2020 threw a career-high 33 touchdowns and led the NFL with 4,823 yards, requested a trade from the Texans in January 2021 amid a fractured relationship with upper management.