How Deshaun Watson’s potential suspension could have an effect on the Cleveland Browns

According to Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal, the NFL intends to punish Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson with an indefinite suspension that lasts no less than one year in accordance with the league’s personal-conduct code.

What happened to Deshaun Watson?

Watson has been accused by many women of sexual assault or inappropriate behaviour during massage sessions that took place in 2020 and 2021. Although as of June 13, two more were still being handled, twenty of the 24 civil claims filed against the quarterback have been resolved.

On the NFL schedule, a sluggish Saturday has dramatically increased. The NFL guided the surfacing of stories into a timeframe when they could be less noticed because it knows that exposure of all things Deshaun Watson cannot be avoided.

Image Credits – SB Nation

Now, look at us. This crucial tidbit was published by Andrew Beaton in a Wall Street Journal article at 6:05 p.m. ET. The league “is advocating for Watson to receive an indefinite ban that would last no less than one year.”

Watson will fight it together with the NFL Players Association, which is required by federal law to protect Watson and other union members. According to PFT, one of their strategies will be to contend that the suggested punishment does not correspond with the discipline, or lack thereof, for several owners who are said to have broken the Personal Conduct Policy. Beaton’s report confirms this particular report.

According to Jenny Vrentas of the New York Times, over the course of 17 months from 2019 to 2021, Watson had massage sessions with at least 66 women. According to the NYT investigation, Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans, gave him hotel memberships and non-disclosure clauses to utilise for some appointments.

Will the Cleveland Browns be affected by Deshaun Watson’s suspension?

Beaton predicts that Watson’s NFL future will be resolved within the week of July 4, if not earlier. This following week there will be an arbitration hearing. Five of the women who have sued Watson will be the focus of the league’s lawsuit, according to Beaton. Text messages and other pieces of evidence support such cases. The charges in question, according to League executives, “are specifically believed to be objectively proven and indicate a clear and troubling pattern of behaviour from Watson,” writes Beaton.

Watson’s suspension conditions have been subject to negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA, but no agreement has been reached. The NFLPA is also ready to challenge any ruling that is made. Reports suggest that Watson could face at least a year away from the NFL due to an incoming suspension. 

But this comes as a big blow to the Cleveland Browns, who are expected to be without Watson for the entire upcoming season. The Browns were expected to be challenging for top honours in the NFL after signing Watson, but their plans may have to be put on hold. It is widely believed that Baker Mayfield may become the team’s starting QB for the new season. 

More NFL news:

Follow our NFL page for more key NFL updates and news