The Cleveland Browns can finally move forward after months of speculation and uncertainty. Deshaun Watson has been a daily fixture of news cycles amidst allegations of sexual misconduct since being acquired by the Browns in March in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans.
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson has reportedly been suspended for 6 games according to Adam Schefter.
The Cleveland Browns exchanged three 1st Round Picks (2022/2023/2024), a 2022 4th Round Pick, a 2023 3rd Round Pick, and a 2024 4th Round Pick to acquire Deshaun Watson and a 2024 6th Round Pick from the Houston Texans. After acquiring Deshaun Watson, the Browns gave a new 5-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed.
The Browns will presumably start Jacoby Brissett in Watson’s absence with QBs Josh Dobbs, and Josh Rosen also currently on the roster.
A Condensed Timeline Leading Up To The Deshaun Watson Suspension:
January 2021: Adam Schefter reports that Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans after a 4-12 finish in the 2020 season.
March 2021: 21 civil suits are filed against Deshaun Watson. Watson denies the allegations and the NFL opens an investigation.
April 2021: The number of civil suits against Deshaun Watson reaches 22 and a criminal complaint is filed with the Houston PD.
February 2022: A Houston judge rules that Watson can be deposed in nine civil cases.
March 2022: Watson is deposed days before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. Following the trade, a grand jury decides not to criminally charge Deshaun Watson. It is reported that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will not make a decision on disciplinary action against Watson. Instead, the NFL will appoint former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson as an independent arbitrator.
May 2022: Deshaun Watson meets with the NFL. A 23rd civil lawsuit is filed against Watson.
June 2022: A 24th civil lawsuit is filed against Deshaun Watson. Watson settles 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits. The NFLPA is reported to be preparing to address an “unprecedented” punishment from the NFL.
July 2022: Deshaun Watson’s hearing with the NFL and NFLPA concludes and briefs are submitted to independent arbitrator Sue Robinson.
August 2022: Deshaun Watson reportedly settles 3 of his remaining 4 civil lawsuits. It’s announced hours before his discipline is to be announced.
The author of this article Craig Fountain is the Founder & Executive Editor of DawgsTable.com as well as the Host of The Dawgs Table LIVE. Follow the author on Twitter here: https://www.twitter.com/craigafountain
The post Report: Deshaun Watson Suspended 6 Games appeared first on The Dawgs Table.