Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns will not be able to participate in the 2022 NFL season until week 13, when the Browns visit the quarterback's former team, the Houston Texans, for their 12th game of the year.
Following a compromise between the NFL and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) on Thursday, Watson was issued an 11-game suspension and fined $5 million for violating the NFL's conduct policy. He committed offenses involving "predatory" behavior involving more than two dozen women who claimed sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior.
Watson, represented by the NFLPA, and the NFL settled on the punishment after the league appealed an initial six-game suspension that was rendered from an investigation into the allegations, as reported by Fox Business.
Watson Accepts Accountability
The initial Deshaun Watson Punishment of suspension was handed down by former US district Judge Sue L. Robinson, picked by the league and the NFLPA as an independent disciplinary officer.
The NFL will confirm compliance with the agreement.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday: "Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL. This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a significant fine, and a more substantial suspension. We are grateful to Judge Robinson and Peter Harvey for their efforts in addressing these matters, which laid the foundation for reaching this conclusion."
Watson is first eligible for reinstatement on November 28.
In a media conference, Watson said he would be accepting "accountability" for his decisions made. He also said that he stands on his "innocence" and claimed he had never physically hurt or wronged anyone, per The Ringer.
Watson Fine To Benefit Various Causes
The Browns organization and the NFL will also contribute $1 million each, to be merged with Watson's fine, to create a fund that "will support the work of nonprofit organizations across the country that educate young people on healthy relationships, promote education and prevention of sexual misconduct and assault, support survivors, and related causes."
Deshaun Watson Punishment of $5 million fine is significant considering the way Watson's contract with the Browns is structured.
When Cleveland traded for Watson in March, they immediately gave Watson a historic five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal. The contract is back-loaded, with Watson getting an $8.99 million signing bonus in 2022 and making $1.035 million in base salary for the 2022 season.
Starting in the 2023 NFL season, Watson's base salary skyrockets to $46 million per year until the last year of his contract in 2026.
On top of the $5 million fine, Watson will not be paid his game check for each of the 11 games he misses during his suspension, bringing his total base pay for the 2022 season down to $402,500. Watson will forfeit just $57,500 per game suspended due to the nature of his contract with the Browns.
Watson has thrown for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions on 67.8% of his attempts. In 2020, he had the most passing yards in the league (4,823). He has a career rushing total of 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns, and as a starter, he has a record of 28-25.
Following the 2018 and 2019 regular seasons, he went 1-2 in three postseason games while completing 80 of 126 passes for 870 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, according to Rappler.
