NFL, Deshaun Watson Reach 11-Game Suspension & $5 Million Fine Settlement Deal
At around noon today, it was reported that Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns and the NFL reached an agreement that will force the star quarterback to miss 11 games in 2022 and pay a $5 million fine.
Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson on March 18 in exchange for three upcoming Browns’ first-round picks, two upcoming fourth-round picks, and a third-round pick in 2023. This trade included a five-year $230 million max-deal for Watson. Initially, Sue L. Robinson, who acted as a judge in the disciplinary hearings of Watson, decided that the QB should miss the first six games of the 2022 regular season based on the evidence presented. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell quickly appealed the suspension two days later, hoping to get Watson suspended for the entire 2022 season. Today, the 11-game suspension represents a settlement between the NFL, the NFLPA, and Watson. As a result, he will play a maximum of six games this regular season. In addition, the $5 million fine is supposed to cover half of his salary earned last season.
Check out the top legal online sportsbook offers and promotions in the United States! Now, the Browns’ best option at QB heading into this season is Jacoby Brissett. In 2019, he was used by the Colts to replace Andrew Luck who announced his retirement before the season. That season, Brissett started in 15 games for the Colts, producing 2,943 passing yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions. Last season, he started in five games for the Dolphins and passed for 1,283 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. While Brissett is a solid backup capable of winning games, he is nothing compared to Watson talent-wise. The real tragedy in this story lies with the Browns. They got rid of QB Baker Mayfield whom the team drafted first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft after signing Watson. Now that Watson will be out for most of the season while Mayfield will be the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, the Browns are heading into 2022 with a massive downgrade at QB. Initially, they had hoped Watson would be a major upgrade from Mayfield. Now the team is without Mayfield entirely, and without Deshaun Watson until at least Week 13 of the 2022 regular season. Coincidentally enough, Watson will return for Week 13 when the Browns face his former team, the Houston Texans. Use our FREE Mock Draft Simulator to practice for your big draft! The Browns’ downgrade at QB could have a significant impact on Amari Cooper’s numbers and other pass-catchers on the team. The idea to pair-up Watson and Cooper for this upcoming season looked good on paper. Now, that vision has come crumbling down to the ground. The conclusion of the Deshaun Watson saga means the Browns’ offense is in big trouble heading into 2022. Notably, expect them to run the ball more and pass the ball less than they would have if Watson was starting under center. Even if they do run the ball more than expected in 2022, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt won’t necessarily be more productive than they were last season. The Browns will find themselves trailing in the second half of most games this season. As a result, Cleveland will have to turn to Brissett’s arm more than they might want to when trailing late in games. Fantasy SP has worked diligently to bring you next-level sports betting analytics, prop betting tools, public betting splits, and so much more! Become an Edge+ member today before the price doubles!