Nearly two weeks have passed since the NFL appealed Deshaun Watson‘s suspension, and with the prospect of a Peter Harvey appeal ruling that comes down much harder on the Browns quarterback, settlement talks appear to be ramping up in earnest. A resolution could come by Wednesday or Thursday, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.
While settlement talks between the NFL and NFLPA took place before the initial hearing before Sue Robinson in June, no resolution emerged. With Harvey expected to add games to Watson’s ban, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes a settlement is back in play. Talks have persisted over the past few days and could well produce a long-elusive settlement, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson and cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Although settlement talks are producing optimism, per Wilson, the NFL is negotiating from a position of strength due to the expectation Harvey would side with the league regarding Watson punishment.
An expedited Harvey ruling has been expected, but Roger Goodell‘s appointee has been in the spotlight for two weeks now. Settlement talks are not playing into Harvey’s timetable, Cabot adds (on Twitter). Watson’s camp is, however, hopeful an agreement can come to pass before Harvey rules, Graziano adds.
A settlement would potentially prevent Watson from being sidelined for all of 2022. The recently traded passer is willing to accept an eight-game suspension that accompanies a substantial fine. Long tied to wanting a yearlong ban, the NFL was believed to be willing to move to a 12-game penalty as long as a hefty fine — in the neighborhood of $8MM, though SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the NFL wanted the fine to be around $10MM — and treatment came along with it.
In deeming Watson committed nonviolent sexual assault during massage therapy sessions, Robinson ruled the quarterback violated the league’s personal conduct policy. As such, the NFL would mandate treatment in any settlement offer, Breer adds. After being dinged throughout this process for a lack of remorse, Watson shifted in tone Friday, saying (in an interview with WEWS-TV’s Aditi Kinkhabwala, video link) he wants to continue counseling. A $10MM fine would be in line with what Watson made in 2021, when he collected a $10.54MM base salary while not playing for the Texans.
The effort to hand down a considerable financial punishment is also connected to the Browns’ contract structure — in which Watson’s $230MM extension calls for a veteran-minimum salary in 2022, largely to shield the former No. 12 overall pick from losing much of that money — irking the NFL. Watson’s cap numbers spike to record-setting places come 2023; he will be tied to $54.99MM figures from 2023-26. If Watson does not play in 2022, his contract tolls to 2023 and thus runs through 2027.
A settlement would also prevent this matter from being dragged into court. The league has wanted Watson off the field this season, but it would surely appreciate not seeing this matter spill over into court the way Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott‘s 2010s suspensions did. The NFL prevailed in both cases, but both players saw preliminary injunctions lead them to the field while those court cases played out.
If Watson’s suspension “significantly increases,” a Browns trade for Jimmy Garoppolo could reenter the equation. Conflicting reports have emerged on the team’s interest in the 49ers trade chip, and it would be interesting to see how the Browns proceed if a settlement moves Watson’s penalty to the 10- or 12-game range.
Just embarrassing that the NFL is walking back and allowing him to potentially play this year. Feel bad for all the women affected by this and in general. What a bad look towards the NFL and their care for females.
Agreed. At the very least, they need to force Watson to go to counseling and warn him of a lifetime ban if he tries his massage move again.
No, they shouldn’t be “negotiating” anything. Suspend him for the whole season. Then implement if anything else happens then he is gone for good. Despicable they’re going to allow him to play after a 12 game suspension + fine.
While I agree with you, I think the NFL would accept a negotiated deal to keep out of public lime light of a court battle. Even though they would win
I don’t see the NFL shortening the suspension without a large fine and counseling attached to it. For a whole season his fine is peanuts and actually gets another year on contract.
Actually, suspending him for the whole season does hurt Watson financially. They would prevent him from reentering the market for an entire year, potentially costing him tens of millions
That is assuming he plays well enough or doesn’t get Jared over the years.
Yes, but the likelihood of that happening is not great enough for it to make sense for the NFL to issue a $10 million fine in lieu of suspending him for the season
His salary this year is tiny. Almost no financial loss
who cares he stinks ..
and he’ll drag down the browns with him for giving him that ridiculous contract
“…he stinks…”
What?
i guess you missed his game action this past weekend
guys screwed playing for the browns
I guess I tend to evaluate players on larger bodies of work than a couple of preseason drives
he was a top 5 QB while playing for the terrible Texans before he sat out last year.
Did BB get booted or lose his computer privileges again for looking at minors boys with no clothes on. He should have a I am smarter than you comment because he said so.
he’s absolutely posting undercover
no way that dude has a life
I’ll expose him any chance I get. He now posts under Pittsburgh2
ya i had a hunch that was him
Brownsbacker9 is actually a simple man
Kinda weird to talk in third person like this
Well you are the All Knowing.
At least you got off the Watson train brownsbacker. A Steelers troll is much more tolerable then Watsons fan club leader
“Willing to take 8 games”? If he gets 12 games he should feel fortunate.
Wtf is taking so long. The longer they drag this out the worse this is for everyone. I’m tired of reading about negotiations. Ban him now and move on. Everyone looks like an a hole right now.
Yeah but if they just rushed the appeal and decided in a couple days, they’d be accused of Peter Harvey just rubber stamping the NFL’s desired length of ban and possible fine.
Damned if you do….damned if you don’t.
The fact that there is even a negotiation going on, is a massive problem and a bad look for everyone involved. Watson and the NFLPA shouldn’t have a seat at the table – they don’t have a say, and shouldn’t be treated like they do.
Hand out the punishment and move on.
Correct. The appeal process is all in Roger’s hand, render a verdict and move on.
The NFL needs some better PR consultants. Or, maybe they just need PR consultants.
Or maybe no PR. PR is the problem.
In the real world if anyone done what D.Watson has done would be fired. Looks like the NFL doesn’t care about well being of women. The fine should be the $45 million that doesn’t count against the salary cap. Make him donate all this money to women shelters around the United States. Suspend him for so many game but the only way he gets to play again if he get from professional counseling. Then go under a review board whether or not he deserves to play again. If he gets into trouble under with the law during his suspension he receives a life ban from playing in the NFL. Also fine the Texans for letting this happen too. Loss of draft picks and loss of salary cap for next 3 years. Also if Watson ever lies again to the NFL, he’s gone for life.
If the Texans are to be punished, then the Browns should be also. Trading for a player in this kind of situation and then giving a mega contract that helps the player essentially avoid a huge financial loss makes it look extremely bad.
The deeds were all done prior to him being their employee. They’re stuck with sting from giving up so much draft capital for a guy that shouldn’t provide any return this season. I don’t think they should be punished further, except for the manipulation of the minimum contract for this year, and I don’t want to hear about other players got similar deals. Theirs were manipulations of the salary cap only, this was to get around the discipline and spend that money elsewhere while he’s suspended.
That was my point @hammer. They intentionally manipulated the money so they wouldn’t lose it (which would basically be the case, if they paid it to Watson who then had to fork it over in fines) nor would Watson. They covered their own butts as well as Watson’s knowing a significant punishment was coming. If not draft picks (which I don’t believe is necessary), a significant monetary hit, against their salary cap, should be coming their way.
here is a clue, the NFL is not the “real world” stop comparing the two.
Why is anyone surprised by the 2 sides attempting to negotiate a settlement (compromise, whatever you want to call it)?
The entire justice system is nothing but negotiations. Plea bargains, reduced sentences in exchange for testimony or evidence against someone else, and so on. Doesn’t anyone watch Law and Order?
This is outside the justice system. This is NFL’s own way they handle things.
It’s basically the same strategy for criminal, civil, divorce, or any professional sports league. It’s all about the negotiation process. And that’s what is happening here.
Not the same thing at all. The NFL and other major sports leagues operate like nothing else in this country. They have their own rules to play by that other companies don’t get afforded to them.
They don’t have to negotiate at all, nor should they. They know the guy is guilty, they know he lied. What more do you need to know? Ban him for the whole year, fined him all of next year’s salary. If he slips up at all after this or during his suspension, he’s out of the league for life with no ability for reinstatement.
@dope I am not saying they are exactly the same, I’m saying it is a loose comparison, and because the 2 sides are in fact attempting a negotiation, then THAT part is similar to a criminal or civil process. Each side gives in until both parties are satisfied.
It was not meant to be an exact, literal comparison. And I’m not sure why people insist on taking it that way.
Because you said “basically the same thing as”
Next time choose your words more carefully.
This is still not close to the criminal justice system. If it were actually like that and he didn’t have all the privileges he does, he’d be in jail already, have no job, and he’d have the grey bar hotel room for 30 years.
What you are talking about is a plea deal, which lawyers hammer out before a trial even takes place because they think the client is guilty as sin. A lot of cases do not go through this at all.
Here, the guy already has been found guilty, already sentenced, there’s an appeal, and then an appeal to that appeal.
I guess then you missed the part where I said ‘doesn’t anyone watch Law and Order?’ Yeah, obviously I was LITERALLY comparing actual, real life legal proceedings to this one specific situation.
But since you insist plea deals only happen before a trial ever starts…Dateline (and any of its various spinoff and like similar type shows) tells about plea deals being reached during a trial, or while the jury is deliberating. Those are real stories. And what is a plea deal? It’s a negotiation between the prosecutor and the defendant/their attorney.
So, kinda what the NFL & NFLPA are doing now.
Sorry I said “basically” when I should have said “kinda” but go ahead and continue to nitpick because, again, you took it too literally.
I rest my case.
You never had a case.
I didn’t miss anything. Like how your “law and order” was your attempt to be funny and to cover yourself.
If you agree to a plea bargain, you wouldn’t be on trial in front of a jury. When you go to a trial jury, you’ve subjected yourself to their verdict.
I am not nitpicking at all. Words mean things. Apparently you don’t understand that. I hope I educated you and you learn something and don’t make the same mistake again. You’re welcome.
the feds should raid his house and steal his passports and go through his girlfriends things, thats how justice works
Finally “showing remorse”…sure seems legitimate too. GTFOH. This pervert should spend this season in the penalty box and utilizing that time in counseling getting right.
Well, we already know he was lying during his testimony. I feel comfortable in hazarding a guess that he’s lying now.
No compromise. The NFL says, “Here’s your punishment.” The end.
This is so stupid. I don’t care what Watson is “willing to accept.” He didn’t care what all those women were willing to accept.
If they don’t settle and the new judge doesn’t make his ruling prior to week 1, does the initial 6 game ban start or is he free to play?
Should be settled very soon. Quite frankly the whole appeal process is on Goodell who can just announce his own verdict and move on. He doesn’t need to negotiate squat with Watson or the NFLPA.
“According to the C.B.A., decisions by Goodell, or his designee, are “full, final and complete” and binding on all parties, including the player.
The union may challenge the league’s appeal in federal court, as it has done over player conduct decisions in the past. One noteworthy instance came in 2015, when quarterback Tom Brady challenged his four-game suspension in the so-called Deflategate scandal. A district court judge sided with Brady, saying that Goodell exceeded his power by suspending the quarterback for his role in an alleged scheme to take air out of game balls to improve their grip. Goodell’s decision, however, was upheld in 2016 by a federal appeals court panel that affirmed his broad authority to discipline players.”
NFL follow through on the sentiment/reaction its portrayed in the media.
Season or Lifetime Ban; just do it.
That puts the onus entirely on the NFLPA to either put up or shut up.
Will it bark all day like a little doggy or will it bite and strike/walk out?
For some reason, I think it’s the former
I would LOVE for this to be the sword the players are willing to die upon, metaphorically speaking of course.
They all walk out and strike over this guy. Please do it NFLPA. I want the NFL to die and the rest of all major sports leagues. They need to end. Nobody should earn what they do for playing a game.
Sometimes you have to just put it all on the table and see if the other guy is willing to do the same
Brownie you have too much dope in your baking. You come on a site for a pro sports league and say all pro sports should be abandoned. Nobody on this site gives a crap what you think.
Should all movies and production companies be disbanded all TV stations and programs be shutdown?
Maybe we could just have your dictator give speeches on TV. I am shocked nobody has jumped on your comments already. I am not sure who according to you we stop with making a good living. CEOs should they make a min wage? How about someone that has put hardwork into building a business that is a multi million dollar business?
Do you just want to sit home eat brownies and collect a check off the backs of those who were successful? Maybe play Bernie Sanders speeches on a loop.
This site is not affiliated or supported by the NFL or any other major sports league. If I want to bring my message to sports fans to stop supporting the leagues, where is the best place to find a whole bunch of them?
The only dictator we have right now is Biden and I sure as Hell didn’t vote for him.
Dude, you have no clue. You might talk to your Momma like that when you tell her to pick up more Doritos and Mountain Dew for you.
Me? I work and have worked in the medical industry for a long, long time in the Pharmaceutical business.
Maybe play in traffic.
very ironic indeed to post this comment on, you know a MAJOR SPORTS WEBSITE. without sports you would have nothing left to complain about, all though i have the feeling you would find something.
There’s plenty to complain about. Like you being an idiot. Of course logic isn’t the strong point of people like you and the other poster and clearly you don’t understand how irony works.
Go back to being an Ostrich and trying to prove that you are more intelligent than the ants. It hasn’t worked so far.
Settlement? Who is in charge here? Just suspend him already, good lord…
It doesn’t matter what this scumbag gets. Steelers have the division wrapped up. 14-3 and Trubisky will make the pro bowl. Top defense in the league and the best all around running back.
Hey brownsbacker9 why the name change? What happened to the blind Watson love?
I love the Steelers.
Watson denied all your love letters huh? Sad
I’ve asked on here before if it’s fair to ask for a lengthy ban after Watson actually didn’t play all last year.
The response has been, he chose that, and he got paid to sit.
Well, his earnings last season were $10.54MM.
If he’s fined $10MM this year, doesn’t that then equate to him already serving a self-imposed year-long ban?
I mean, he’s sat out 17 games basically for free at that point.
I’m sure fans of AFC north rivals will somehow not understand this.
But even as KC fan, I think it’s fair. What do you think?
No. He will get a fine and sit hands this season.
As I said, fining him his 2021 earnings and adding the full 17 this year is what they should do.
So 2 years for groping and asking for oral?
But Kamara beats a dude to within an inch of his life?
…Suit up Alvin, we can’t virtue signal on your offense.
…there’s a whole lotta frauds in here. Set aside your hate, it will set you free.
On the bright side, I haven’t seen pervbacker comment in a while!
A lot of people are apparently upset with this guy yet don’t have the self control to simply ignore him.
I muted him. People gave him credit for standing firm. But once he started changing his user IDs around and responding to himself he lost any credibility.
His new name is Pittsburgh2. Look at any of your old comments and you’ll see the change. He’s trolling as an over the top Steelers fan now. Dude needs help
You have way too much time on your hands. Of course the way you look, I can understand
Now he posts as 3BM I’m guessing to try to make me mad. On my previous account I tried for days to get him to fight me and he was afraid every time. Best thing to do with someone as unstable as him is just block him
The NFL is a joke, the NBA is so much better. If Watson was a basketball player he would be banned from the league. Im so disappointed we traded for him.
You really thing they NBA would ban him?
Yes I do, there were people who did A LOT less and aren’t in the league anymore.
Who have they banned and what did they do?
OJ Mayo (drugs), Donald Sterling (racist rhetoric),and Myles Leonard (while he wasn’t banned he was blackballed from the league). Those are just the most recent.
Goodell and the NFL lose all credibility if owners have impunity when violating the personal conduct policy but players get stomped on.
Hi Brownsbacker9.
So give Watson 12 games suspension but give him his $1 million contract but take away his $45 million in signing bonus to battered women shelters. Divide the money between all 32 NFL cities battered women shelters and make him go get counseling for his problems. If not completed in a timely matter suspend his for life.
I think the correct answer is a $66 million fine – donated to women’s abuse clinics. That way even the women who chose not to join the lawsuits get some payback.
10 games, 10 million, 2 years mandated counseling.. Move on. Please
I took a nap and woke up to another Watson article… Back to sleep.
Just want to apologize for my son to all of you. Me and the old lady regret not having an abortion we really are sorry. He was dropped on his head a few too many times as a kid. At a young age he started being attracted to boys (which is okay) but he would stalk them in a really predatory like way. We kicked him out of the house years ago and I’m sorry this is what he’s turned into. Please do my son a favor block him on here and if you’re ever unfortunate enough to meet him in person, please use necessary force.
Thank you all