According to reporting from Adam Schefter, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will face an NFL disciplinary hearing on Tuesday. According to the report, the hearing will take place before Sue L. Robinson, the NFL and the NFLPA’s jointly appointed disciplinary officer. Robinson is a former judge and served as the first woman Chief Judge for the District of Delaware, as well as being selected to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States.
In is expected that the league will push for a “lengthy” suspension for Watson. According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the NFLPA is bracing for the league to push for a suspension that might even be more than a year:
Meanwhile, the Browns are awaiting a lengthy suspension for Watson. There is concern from the NFL Players Association that the league will look to suspend the former Clemson standout for the entire 2022 season, if not indefinitely, according to sources. Should that happen, the Browns are expected to go forward with Jacoby Brissett rather than try to reconcile with Mayfield.
Until recently, Watson was facing over two dozen lawsuits alleging sexual assault that occurred during his time in Houston with the Texans. Watson, after stating at Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp that he was focused on “clearing his name,” then settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits against him.
In addition, Watson was also the focus of explosive and harrowing reporting from Jenny Vrentas of the New York Times. Vrentas outlined how Watson met “at least 66 women for massages over a 17-month period.” The article also indicates that the Texans assisted Watson in making appointments, as well as providing him with nondisclosure agreements.