Deshaun Watson has been suspended 11 games by the NFL
After filing an appeal, the NFL has a new suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, following a decision on Thursday morning.
And now, we finally know. Deshaun Watson is being suspended 11 games by the NFL. Watson is also being fined an additional $5 million.
Watson, who was acquired by the Cleveland Browns this offseason following 10 criminal complaints being dismissed by two Texas grand juries, won’t be playing until Week 13 … when he plays the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Deshaun Watson has been suspended 11 games. His first game back?
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) August 18, 2022
Week 13, in Houston, against the Texans.
The 26-year-old missed all of last year with the Texans while facing civil suits for sexual assault and/or misconduct, but wasn’t subject to league discipline at that time. Now, the NFL has stepped in.
Deshaun Watson has been suspended 11 games by the NFL
On Aug. 1, Watson was suspended six games by Disciplinary Officer Sue Robinson, who was appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to hear the case. However, the league has full authority under the joint Collective Bargaining Agreement to appeal and have Commissioner Roger Goodell comes to a new verdict. In this situation, the league decided on former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey to make the ruling.
Watson has been a headline all offseason, as he at one point faced 24 civil suits for alleged sexually-based misdeeds with massage therapists in the Houston area. While 23 of those cases have been settled for an undisclosed amount, one remains open.
The Browns, aware Watson could face a suspension this season, did him the favor of a unique contract. Upon trading for Watson — and sending three first-round picks to the Texans in the process — Cleveland doled out a fully-guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal. However, despite the $46 million annual value, Watson’s contract only includes $1 million in base salary for 2022. Per its policy, any NFL fine comes from the base salary, and not other areas of pay.
As for what’s next? Expect the NFLPA to release a statement and potentially appeal the decision, which could go into the federal court system.