NFLPA believes Deshaun Watson could be looking at an indefinite suspension

The NFLPA seems to believe Deshaun Watson’s suspension is going to be massive.

The fate of Deshaun Watson‘s 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns, and his future career continues to hang in the balance as the NFL handles its investigation into his actions. Many fans wrongly believed that because he settled with 20 of the current 24 lawsuits against him, it would somehow clear the board but that’s not the case.

Four of the women who accused Watson of various unwanted sexual acts are intent on going to trial, and what’s worse for Watson and his supporters, the worst of the accusations is among them.

This could be the death nail in Watson’s tenure with the Browns, as trials often bring out far more information than initial discovery ever could. It’s why so many people settle lawsuits. Not because it’s “quick” and “easier” but because the other secrets that can and often do get exposed can be absolutely damning.

This seems to be a possible reason why the NFL Players Association is preparing for Watson to be suspended for at least a year, if not infinitely. Pro Football Newtwork’s Aaron Wilson is claiming that the NFLPA is not optimistic about a short suspension for Watson;

"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."

Fans should prepare for the worst with the suspension

Everything fans have glommed onto in their defense against Watson has been wrong up until this point. From the allegations not being that serious to Watson being someone who would clear his name and his suspension being X amount of games.

All of that has been wrong. Watson has lied to the media, he’s engaged in reckless and dangerous behavior and his own words have affirmed the most damning of allegations against him, that in at least some of these instances his behavior was unwelcomed and forced.

There is zero likelihood as far as I’m concerned that Watson sees the field in 2022. Maybe in 2023, but the NFL may in fact drop the hammer on him. Honestly, they should.

The excuses people have made for Watson and others throughout the lifetime of pro sports have got to end. We don’t need these people to be role models, but we also don’t need these people to be a danger to our communities either.

Asking them to be the least amount of decent as possible is such a low bar, and if they can’t do that, then they shouldn’t be in the league. The same is true about the owners, but they’re protected by different rules than the players and that’s on Roger Goddell and the other owners to address and rectify.

Jacoby Brissett is likely to be the starter in 2022, and beyond will be an interesting question. I would guess that if Watson gets hit with an indefinite suspension and isn’t back after year two, the Browns would look to void the deal. That’s just speculation though.

If the suspension does go beyond the single-season narrative, it could also cost jobs and maybe it should. To risk everything for such an unknown variable is, for a lack of a better word, stupid.