The Cleveland Browns kick off their preseason slate of games against the Jacksonville Jaguars tomorrow night while the organization, players and fans await the outcome of QB Deshaun Watson’s discipline. An appeal was filed and Peter Harvey was appointed to hear that appeal last week.
There are some reports that the NFL wants to keep Watson off the field altogether and are hoping that Harvey will make his ruling before Friday night’s game. Only a season-long or more suspension would accomplish that goal.
Watson and the NFLPA said they wouldn’t appeal Judge Sue Robinson’s decision even before she made her ruling. The NFL has been consistent since the start that a full-year suspension was what they expected but the two sides had attempted to negotiate a settlement prior to Robinson’s ruling.
Now comes a report that Watson is willing to settle for a longer suspension and a huge fine:
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson would accept an eight-game suspension and $5 million fine to avoid missing the entire season, a person familiar with his defense told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The earlier reports were that the NFL wanted a minimum of 12 games, to keep Watson from playing in Houston, and a big fine.
It seems likely that Harvey will rule to give the Browns quarterback a larger suspension but that could lead to a federal court case. The two sides agreeing on a settlement could finally put an end to things and keep the court system out of it.
