Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s NFL Suspension To Be Determined This Week

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s suspension will be determined this week as the NFL and NFL Players Association sat down on the case in a three-day internal disciplinary hearing. Watson’s fate with NFL stands on rocky grounds amid a string of sexual misconduct allegations that have piled up coming from nearly two dozen women who have accused him of sexual assault.

Disciplinary officer Judge Sue L. Robinson awaits written reports due on July 11 from both the NFL and the NFL Players Association in a bid to finalize their post-trial briefings to negotiate Watson’s suspension. Late last month, Watson who is represented by the NFLPA, appealed for a non-disciplinary action with the independent arbiter over the 24 lawsuits that were filed for sexual misconduct. The NFL on the other hand vied for an indefinite suspension for the quarterback topped with a one-year required absence.

According to Sportsnaut, settlement talks ended with an NFL offering of a one-year ban and the NFLPA only willing to accept a shorter suspension. Both sides still have time to negotiate Watson’s fate ahead of the stated deadline when Judge Robinson seals the ruling.

As of now, such a settlement still remains sketchy with league concerns drawing on the fact that Watson even has a say in how long he is suspended and the likely major backlash from football fans should he get a shorter suspension. The main concern from the league will be the heavy criticism that will result should the NFL settle for a six-game ban for Watson. Should the judge believe there is evidence to pin down Watson for violating the league’s conduct policy, the NFLPA only has one line of hope to get its appeal approved. This would be through NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Although Watson has never been arrested or criminally charged for the alleged accusations, the league is left with a grappling decision as to the right amount of discipline to impose on the erring player.

Mary Kate Cabot who covers the Browns for the Cleveland Plain Dealer said, “It's going to be difficult out there in the court of public opinion and they're going to have to walk this fine line between making it seem like they really do value, respect, and believe women who bring these things up.”

To this day, Watson has maintained his innocence on all the allegations even after 20 of his 24 lawsuits have been privately settled.