Rather than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s appointee reaching his own decision on the ultimate penalty for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, the league and the union reached a settlement agreement announced yesterday, raising his suspension from six to 11 games and requiring him to pay a $5 million fine.
The announcement was not met kindly by many, perhaps most, yet in effect, it acts as a penalty to the Browns organization. Had Watson been suspended for a full season, it would have resulted in his contract tolling, resetting it in 2023, meaning that he would still be under contract for five seasons, and his 2023 salary would still be for the league minimum.