Watson Gets 6-Game Suspension

08/02/2022 Watson Gets 6-Game Suspension

By: Jeff Yoder

Arbitrator Suspends Browns QB Deshaun Watson for First 6 Games of 2022 Season

The decision has been made. On Monday, Sue L. Robinson — an appointed disciplinary officer by the NFL and NFLPA — handed down a six-game suspension to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for violating NFL conduct policies. Watson had 25 civil lawsuits filed against him since March of 2021 for acts of inappropriate behavior and sexual assault with multiple massage therapists over a number of years. Even though most of the lawsuits have been settled, his punishment on the field was the next step.

 

What Comes Next?

The NFLPA won’t appeal the ruling, and they’ve urged the NFL to do the same. The fate of the appeal lies in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell. The six-game suspension seems quite laughable to many considering the expected one-year suspension, but the Browns will now lean on Jacoby Brissett to open the season after shipping Baker Mayfield to Carolina. The Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland will wait until Week 7, but the legal battles aren’t done yet.

 

The Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract after trading six draft picks, including three 1st-rounders, to the Texans back in March.

 

Additional Storylines

FTW: The Next Steps of the Deshaun Watson Suspension, Explained

SI: Deshaun Watson Suspension Shows Staggering Weakness by Roger Goodell

CBS Sports: Deshaun Watson Drama Not Over: QB’s Ban Could Lengthen if NFL Appeals

 

Photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images