Deshaun Watson suspension: Why NFL wants a minimum one-year ban for Browns quarterback
Whether or whether Deshaun Watson will continue his NFL career could be decided soon.
Following the announcement that Watson has resolved 20 of the 24 civil cases alleging sexual misbehavior ranging from harassment to assault, the NFL is preparing to impose severe punishment on the Browns quarterback.
Reports
According to The Wall Street Journal, the league is considering an “indefinite suspension” for Watson, with a minimum term of one year being sought. On Tuesday, June 28th, Watson is set to have a hearing, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Despite the NFL’s stated desire for an “indefinite punishment,” they will be pushing for a minimum one-year ban on Tuesday. According to ProFootballTalk, by the time Watson returns to the league in the middle of March 2023 after sitting out for a year, the two-year statute of limitations for sexual misconduct lawsuits will have expired.
That, however, presumes that Watson stopped actively seeking out massage therapists after March 2021, when the first lawsuits were brought against him.
The league would rather not suspend Watson for a shorter period of time and then have to deal with another round of claims between now and next March.
With any luck, Watson will be able to avoid any further legal difficulties during the next year, in which case Deshaun Watson suspension will be reduced to only one. Then he might submit a reinstatement request.
More about suspension
In the wake of an interview on “Real Sports” in which two women revealed their experiences of sexual misconduct at the hands of Watson during massage sessions, two more women have come forward with similar allegations.
As is typical practice for the NFLPA whenever its players face discipline, the union intends to appeal the ban. To this day, the Browns stand behind their quarterback and his $230 million guaranteed contract.
While the length of the hearing process is unknown, it appears that the Watson case will soon be resolved.