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The Cleveland Browns may be clear soon regarding Deshaun Watson’s status for the 2022 season. Watson’s disciplinary hearing in the NFL is scheduled to begin Tuesday, according to ESPN and confirmed by CBS Sports expert Jonathan Jones NFL. The hearing, Sue L. Robinson, appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFLPA, will lead the hearing. Following Robinson’s decision, both the NFL and the NFLPA have the option to appeal. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell can rule on the appeal or he can ask for an independent governor.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the NFL is pushing for an indefinite suspension that would last no less than a year for Watson, who previously faced 24 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. during his stay with the Houston Texans. Watson has opted for 20 of these outfits. Watson, who has denied any wrongdoing, was not charged with criminal charges by two Texas grand jurors earlier this offseason.
During Watson’s introductory press conference in Cleveland, Browns manager Andrew Berry answered questions about a possible suspension of his new quarterback. Berry said the team has and will continue to have open communication with the NFL. Berry added that Watson’s salary, which includes a base salary of $ 1 million for the 2022 season, is not to protect the team from a possible suspension but to give them flexibility to move forward. The Browns signed Watson on a $ 230 million five-year fully guaranteed contract after his acquisition.
The Browns have several options underway in case Watson is suspended. The team signed veterans Jacoby Brissett and Joshua Dobbs this offseason. Cleveland also has Baker Mayfield, who remains under contract despite publicly requesting a change.
In the event of suspension, the league will likely determine that Watson violated the league’s code of conduct policy. The NFL introduced the policy in 2007 in an attempt to improve the behavior of players off the field. One of the most notable suspensions involved current Cowboys runner Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott served a six-game suspension in 2017 despite the NFL’s lead investigator in the case recommending no suspension. With Elliott on the sidelines, the Cowboys missed the playoffs a year after going 13-3.
If Watson is suspended for the first six games, he would miss road games in Carolina and Atlanta and home games against the Jets, Steelers, Chargers and Patriots. His first return game would be against the Ravens in Baltimore in Week 7. His first home game as a quarterback for the Browns would take place the following weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals, AFC defending champions.