The NFL And NFL Players Association Are Actively Negotiating A Settlement Regarding Deshaun Watson
Well, I guess from a Browns fan perspective, this is good news? If we want to see Deshaun Watson on the field at all this year, the NFLPA is going to need to negotiate a settlement. But I'm not sure why the NFL is willing to/needs to have these talks. The way I understand it, the deal that the NFLPA foolishly agreed upon is that an independent arbitrator (Sue L. Robinson) looks over everything and makes an informed and educated decision based on facts, testimonies, and precedence, and the NFL can either accept that decision or reject it and make their own decision. Well, obviously the court of public opinion and therefore the NFL rejected the initial decision, allowing Roger Goodell to hire his best friend and essentially do whatever he says.
So....why negotiate? Peter Harvey can announce the indefinite suspension of at least one year like the NFL has always wanted. I mean, I guess the optics of coming to a negotiated settlement looks better to Watson supporters in the media and public. But umm, is there even one Watson supporter they need to appease? I have not seen one person on television come to his defense, saying that the 6 game suspension seems right. And the public is literally 100% anti-Deshaun Watson. They could announce a lifetime ban and no one would bat an eye in his defense. So why negotiate a settlement? Drop the hammer and revel in the praise.
I'm guessing the settlement would be something around 12 games and a huge fine, probably north of $5 million. And that begs the question, is 12 games really better than a full season if you're Deshaun? Perhaps the Browns could be right in the middle of the playoff race when he returns for the final 5 games, but with Jacoby Brissett leading the charge, it's entirely possible that Deshaun comes back and plays 5 meaningless games while the entire team is greeted to the field each week by the most hostile chants fans can think of.
I don't know. If I'm Deshaun, taking a full year (when my salary is only $1 million) and then coming back to play a full 2023 season (when my salary jumps to a mere $46 million) sounds a whole heck of a lot better than paying a huge fine and coming back to play for a team that's beaten both on the field and mentally, and perhaps has already packed it in.
Regardless, one thing we should all be able to agree upon is that the whole situation just needs to wrap up soon. It's been 48 days since Sue Robinson's hearing ended, and there's even more questions now than when we started. We're 25 days til the Browns kick off Week 1 vs. Baker Mayfield and the Panthers, and we're in the middle of the biggest QB race in the league. Who's going to win out: Deshaun Watson (the best player), Jacoby Brissett (by court order), or Jimmy G (not even on the team).
What a circus. Meanwhile it's just business as usual in Cleveland right now.
….is there any chance the settlement is 8 games and $20 million?
