Deshaun Watson ‘willing’ to accept eight-game suspension, $5 million fine

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, facing a potential year-long ban for sexual misconduct, would agree to a lesser penalty in a settlement, a person familiar with Watson’s defense told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Watson would reportedly accept an eight-game suspension and a $5 million fine to avoid missing the entire 2022-23 season.

AP’s source spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.

Last week, Watson received a six-game suspension after a decision by retired U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson — the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and players’ union to determine whether Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct by two dozen massage therapists.

The NFL appealed Robinson’s decision two days later, and now is seeking a minimum suspension of 17 games and a significant fine of over $5 million. The league also wants Watson to be required to undergo evaluation and treatment as determined by medical experts before he could be reinstated.

It is unclear if both sides are in active discussions.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has since appointed by Peter C. Harvey, a former New Jersey Attorney General, to handle the league’s appeal of Robinson’s decision. Harvey’s decision could come at any time.

On Tuesday, Goodell was asked at the owners’ meetings in Bloomington why the appeal was filed, to which he said: “Because we’ve seen the evidence.”

“She [Robinson] was very clear about the evidence. She reinforced the evidence, that there was multiple violations here and they were egregious, and that it was predatory behavior,” Goodell said.

Watson is expected to start the Browns’ first preseason game against the Jaguars on Friday. However, if a decision is made from the NFL’s appeal ahead of tipoff, it could impact Watson’s status for the game. 

Watson is eligible to play until Sept. 3, which marks the day of final roster cutdowns.

The Browns will rely on Jacoby Brissett, who has made 37 career starts, while Watson serves a suspension. Cleveland could also pursue Jimmy Garoppolo, who is awaiting a trade out of San Fransisco.

Watson, who has not played since the 2020 season, was traded from the Texans to the Browns in March. Cleveland then signed the quarterback to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.