The verdict for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been finalized as the league and the NFL Players Association agreed to an 11-game suspension.
Meanwhile, Watson will be fined $5 million, the highest among players in league history.
It was a long time coming after the league appealed the initial six-game suspension recommended by former federal judge Sue Robinson.
Commissioner Roger Goodell had the final say regarding the matter but chose to delegate the matter to a third party.
Apparently, the 11-game suspension isn’t random because there’s some financial reasoning behind it.
Locks in $46 million for 2023 instead of his 2022 base of just over a million. https://t.co/HkTE7hyWt8
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) August 18, 2022
If that’s the case, Watson will receive his 2023 base salary of $46 million.
That has some fans thinking he got off extremely light given the amount of allegations he was facing.
Settling those civil cases doesn’t mean that he did not do anything wrong.
Michael Vick was suspended for 23 months by the NFL for abusing dogs.
Deshaun Watson has been suspended for 11 games for abusing women.
That's not ok, @NFL.— ƃuoɹʇsɯɹɐ uǝq (@dryflyelk) August 18, 2022
This decision also shows the varying levels of judgment that the NFL has.
Watson got only 11 games while Calvin Ridley was suspended for an entire season due to gambling.
NFL suspensions:
Deshaun Watson: 11 games, $5 million fine – 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits.
Ridley: Indefinite – Bet for his team to win
Burfict: 12 games – Targeting
Hopkins: 6 games – PED
Martavis: Indefinite – Weed
Josh Gordon: 76 games – Weed
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022
What Will Happen To Watson And The Browns?
Both parties have to ride out the decision because they can’t do anything about it anymore.
Watson will have to wait another 11 weeks from August 30, the league’s roster cutdown day.
NFL to Deshaun Watson pic.twitter.com/mjUwb4QOSS
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) August 18, 2022
He could also conduct limited activity at the Browns’ practice facility by October 10 and participate in full practices by November 4.
Meanwhile, the Browns must decide if they will stick it out with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback or trade for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo.
But once Watson returns, he will hear it from the crowd, like what happened during the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NEXT: Deshaun Watson Has Reportedly Struck A Deal