According to a new report, if the NFL gets its way, the Cleveland Browns will have to wait a year to see new quarterback Deshaun Watson suit up for them.
Mark Maske of The Washington Post reported on Friday that the NFL will “probably seek a suspension of a full season” for Watson.
From our story… A source on Deshaun Watson’s side of the case said the NFL “probably” will seek a suspension of a full season.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) June 17, 2022
Unsurprisingly, this brought a big and divided reaction among fans. Several fans thought that a year was fair and if anything, too lenient.
Look, Ridley did something dumb but y’all gave him a year for gambling. If Watson gets anything less, I can’t front, I’ll be pissed. https://t.co/N56bMNN0S9
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) June 17, 2022
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/yehVOln3fQ
— Danie K (@danie__k) June 17, 2022
Not long enough https://t.co/sON005rP2T
— LFC Clee (@GangSignJohn) June 17, 2022
A full season seems more than likely, and fair considering there are 26 women involved in the suit, all saying roughly the same story https://t.co/LBjTcL2u0K
— Nick Faria (@Nick_Faria1720) June 17, 2022
For the last month or so, I've felt Watson won't play a down this season, and wouldn't be surprised if the league suspends him indefinitely.
Just seems the smart course of action. https://t.co/p2QkDigOdT
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) June 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/JulieDiCaro/status/1537859778680176640
Others were not as convinced.
for what, being guilty in the court of public opinion? https://t.co/VuzZCGrfsM
— Kenny Rieck (@Kenzel12) June 17, 2022
Imagine what he’d get if he actually broke the law. https://t.co/UAecRfKFyw
— Jason Centrella (@TeterboroJC) June 17, 2022
Also, beyond agreeing or disagreeing with a year-long suspension, there was a hope that this case can establish more of a firm precedent.
In the event the NFL does this, must spell out what offenses equate to what specific missed games—cuz 1 season for 20+ cases won’t make any sense to the next guy that has, for example, 3 similar cases. Or one. Or seven. It doesnt fit ‘prescription’ model for e’rything else in CBA https://t.co/0F6ZGLWq5e
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) June 17, 2022
Given how arbitrary the NFL’s personal conduct policy has been (or at least seemed) at times, that would be a good idea.
And on that note, Maske also reported that the NFL Player’s Association will cite that Daniel Snyder, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft were not suspended for their violations. Regardless of how one feels about Watson, that is a fair defense.
The issues facing Watson are clear. Legally speaking, Watson is in the clear. But the sheer number of accusers is hard to ignore from the NFL’s perspective.
Watson could end up being suspended for less than a year and it wouldn’t be shocking if the suspension ended up being more than a season.
Given that, splitting the difference at one season feels like the most likely solution.
