Deshaun Watson Pleads Not Guilty to Speeding Citation

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has entered a not guilty plea after receiving a speeding citation in Ohio last month. Official court records show the plea was submitted on Wednesday morning.

The ticket was issued on Aug. 26 along Interstate 480 in Cleveland. According to local news outlet Fox8, which first reported the citation, law enforcement cited the 30-year-old athlete for allegedly driving 86 mph in a zone designated for 60 mph.

Trial Date Set

Following the not guilty plea, court documents indicate that a bench trial has been scheduled for Sept. 23. That date falls four days prior to Cleveland’s Week 3 home opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Return to Regular-Season Play

The legal filing comes as Watson prepares to start at quarterback in Cleveland’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Watson earned the starting job after competing with Shedeur Sanders during training camp.

Sunday’s matchup will mark Watson’s first regular-season action since October 2024, when his season was cut short by a torn Achilles tendon.

Background

Deshaun Watson earned Cleveland’s starting quarterback role for the 2026 season following a training camp competition. His upcoming game against Jacksonville will be his first regular-season start since suffering a torn Achilles tendon in October 2024.