The Associated Press reported Thursday that Watson would be willing to accept an eight-game suspension and a $5 million fine if his camp can reach a settlement with the NFL.
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Why would Deshaun Watson be willing to agree to a longer suspension?
It’s all about guaranteeing that he can play during the 2022 NFL season.
The length of Watson’s suspension is unsettled. The NFL appealed Robinson’s ruling, with commissioner Roger Goodell saying a longer ban is warranted because of the evidence that was uncovered in the investigation.
The appeal is being heard by former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey, who was appointed by Goodell and has extensive ties to the NFL. That may be why Watson’s camp is offering a settlement now.
Would the NFL accept a Deshaun Watson settlement offer?
The NFL has been vocal about its desire to suspend Watson for at least a season. The AP reports that remains the league’s main goal in the appeal hearings.
If Harvey rules in favor of the NFL and suspends Watson for longer than six weeks, it will be difficult for Watson and the NFL Players Association to challenge it. The NFL’s personal conduct policy states that whoever hears the appeal “may overturn, reduce, modify or increase the discipline previously issued, [and it] will be final and binding on all parties.”
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Watson and the NFLPA could still take the NFL to federal court over Harvey’s ruling, but the policy’s language would make it difficult for a judge to overturn the decision.
That may be why a settlement suddenly looks appealing to Watson’s side. It doesn’t want to risk Watson being suspended for a year.
On the other side, an eight-game suspension may not be appealing to the NFL. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported before Robinson’s ruling that the NFL wouldn’t settle for anything less than 12 games and a fine of about $8 million.
It’s unclear whether the NFL is in active settlement discussions with Watson’s camp, the AP reported. But if the league is, it’s hard to imagine that it would be willing to accept Watson’s initial offer.
