Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s suspension was increased from six games to 11 games Thursday.
According to Aaron Wilson from the Pro Football Network, the suspension is the result of a negotiation between the NFL and the NFLPA regarding a personal conduct policy matter. Watson will pay a $5 million fine and also be subject to mandatory counseling as part of the settlement.
With Watson getting 11 games, that means that his first NFL game since Jan. 3, 2021, will be in the same venue: NRG Stadium. Watson’s first game back is Week 13 at the Houston Texans.
Watson originally was suspended six games at the beginning of August surrounding multiple lawsuits from women who allege he committed sexual assault.
The former 2017 first-round pick from Clemson was the solution to the Texans’ quarterback woes. However, the three-time Pro Bowler became disgruntled with the direction of the franchise following the hiring of general manager Nick Caserio and coach David Culley in January 2021.
The sexual assault allegations began in March 2021 on the eve of free agency and the new league year. The Texans rostered Watson on their 53-man squad for the entire 2021 season; the 2020 NFL passing champion was not placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, and part of the Texans’ salary cap went towards Watson’s contract.
Houston traded Watson to the Browns on March 18, 2022, and received a hefty compensation package that included a first-round pick through the 2024 NFL draft.
Caserio told reporters on March 19 that teams were interested in Watson and they had to determine the market as the quarterback also had a no-trade clause in his contract.
“I think there was a certain threshold that I had established in order to make it a legitimate discussion, and if we got to that point then we could engage further,” Caserio said. “I don’t want to get into the exact number, but there was a few more, however many teams than what everybody was reporting towards the end.”
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