With the NFL now appealing Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, there’s a very real chance his punishment could get worse in the coming weeks.
The NFL originally wanted Watson suspended for at least a year, and now the league will look to make that actually happen, according to CBS Sport NFL Insider Jonathan Jones. Although Judge Sue Robinson ordered the six-game suspension, Roger Goodell (or someone he designates) will now have the final say in the case because he is the one overseeing the appeals process.
The NFL’s appeal, in a case where the NFL is in charge of the appeals process, makes it hard to imagine a scenario where the NFL doesn’t add a significant amount of games to Watson’s suspension.
Watson could have avoided all of this if he had settled his case with the NFL, and he had a chance to do just that before Robinson handed down his sentence on Monday. According to ESPN.com, in the days leading up to Robinson’s sentencing, both the NFL and Watson’s camp tried to reach a settlement.
Although the NFL wanted to see Watson suspended for a full year, the league was willing to reduce that number through a settlement. According to ESPN and Sports Illustrated, the NFL’s final settlement offer is this: Watson will be suspended for 12 games and fined $8 million to $10 million.
Watson’s side turned down the offer because it was unwilling to accept any deal that would keep the quarterback out for more than six to eight games. Watson was also unwilling to accept a heavy fine, according to ESPN.com.
Basically, Watson took a gamble by not accepting the NFL’s offer, and it looks more and more like he’s going to lose that gamble. If Watson had accepted the 12-match ban, he could have put all of that behind him, but instead he could now be hit with an indefinite ban of at least a year.
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At this point, it seems the best case scenario for Watson now is a 12-game suspension. With his six-game suspension currently under appeal, it actually gives the two sides more time to work out a possible settlement, meaning Watson could get another shot at an NFL deal.
The fact that the NFL was willing to agree to a 12-game ban in a potential settlement — instead of a one-year suspension — is no coincidence. According to Yahoo Sports, the NFL absolutely does not want to see Watson play against the Texans in Week 13, and one way to prevent him from doing so is to suspend him for 12 games (If he receives a 12-game suspension, the Texans game will be the last game he will have to sit it out).
If there is no settlement and Watson’s suspension is eventually extended by the NFL, there is a very real chance this case could end up in federal court. However, CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported Thursday that Watson’s camp has not decided whether to file a federal lawsuit. According to Anderson, Watson’s legal team will wait to see what happens with the appeal. If the suspension is increased to 12 games, they may just go along with it and not file a lawsuit. On the other hand, if he gets banned for a year or more, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see a lawsuit filed.
Whatever happens, this is far from over. As for the appeals process, Watson’s camp has until Friday to respond to the NFL’s appeal. The decision to suspend Watson will then fall directly into the hands of Goodell or someone he designates to make the decision.
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