BEREA, OH – With the unofficial start to the NFL Season coming up this Thursday down in Canton as the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Las Vegas Raiders in the Hall of Fame Game, the Cleveland Browns will finally get some clarity on embattled quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
Watson, who was accused of 24 sexual assault charges, and settled 20 of the 24 cases via settlement, is expected to hear his fate from retired Delaware federal judge and recently appointed disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, per media reports.
As the Browns recent began training camp and are gearing up for what may be either a Super Bowl-level kind of season, or a season filled with doubt, controversy due to a possible lengthy band, after agreeing to an NFL record $230 million fully guaranteed contract for five years.
Depending on Robinson’s ruling, if either side appeals her decision, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell can either rule on the appeal himself, or assign someone else to handle it, per Chris Dellecese of Cleveland’s Channel 19 News.
If Robinson comes down with a zero suspension—which is unlikely, but has been discussed as a possibility, then it will set up a made-for-primetime matchup with former top overall pick, and still-popular former franchise QB Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers down in Charlotte.
If there is a lengthy suspension of eight or more games, then the Browns will have to rely on journeyman backup QB Jacoby Brissett, and the backfield of Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and rookie Jerome Ford, and a stout defense led by Myles Garett, Denzel Ward and Jadeveon Clowney to help win games.
The clock is ticking, fans and media are in the fourth quarter with the ball on the goal line, it all lies on Robinson to rule in what will hopefully be a right and fair decision.