"One year is my prediction" - NFL fans react to news of Deshaun Watson meeting league officials amid rumors of suspension
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will learn more about his NFL future later this week, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson. Watson is being investigated by the NFL in response to 22 civil suits that accuse him of coercive and lewd sexual behavior, two of which allege sexual assault. He has not been charged criminally and has denied the accusations
Many think that a suspension is coming the way of the former Texans quarterback and the question is not if, but rather how long the suspension will be.
With Watson reportedly due to meet with league officials this week, we will soon know exactly where he stands for the upcoming season. Some fans have already given their ideas of how long a potential suspension could be.
One fan predicted that Watson would be suspended for a year.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial 1 year is my prediction.
This fan posted that they bet the suspension will not even be eight games.
@ChippyPlay @JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial I'm willing to guess not even 8 games. If they're willing to hear his side something else is up they can't decide on their own. I'd bet 6 or less, not fighting but will friendly bet $50 that it's not a year
One user named Jefe said that Watson will get a six-game suspension.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial 6 game suspension coming soon.
A fan named Dana said that the quarterback shouldn't be suspended at all until all the results from the civil suits are determined.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial Should be no suspension, until results from the civil suits are determined. Suspending him implies guilt and could sway perception when these cases actually take place.
A fan named Richie thinks the former Texans quarterback will get a nine-game suspension.
@JosinaAnderson @32BeatWriters @BovadaOfficial 9 games
A user named Joel said that this could be the first time the NFL is meeting with the quarterback and there may be no suspensions to come out of it.
@JosinaAnderson @TonyGrossi @BovadaOfficial Not sure, but I think this marks the first time the NFL will be speaking with Watson regarding this case. I don't think anything will happen concerning suspensions. Maybe just interviewing him, get his side of it in person.
This fan said that the quarterback has already sat out a year and that the league will let him play.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial Dude done sat out a year. I think he’ll get time served and they let him play. I see them making him go through a lot of counseling and classes. I’m not a Browns fan, I don’t know all the facts. He won his case in court and should be treated as such. That’s just my opinion
A fan named Matt thinks the quarterback will be suspended for between six to eight weeks.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial 6-8 weeks
A fan named Mike said that he is praying that Watson will be playing in the first game of the season.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial Praying Watson starts first game of season
One user said that they don't see him missing any more than four games through suspension.
@JosinaAnderson @BovadaOfficial I can’t see him missing more than 4 games….
Deshaun Watson key to Browns' Super Bowl hopes
The 26-year-old is seen as the missing piece in the Browns' Super Bowl puzzle. Cleveland had an outstanding defense led by Myles Garrett last season, but the offense was left wanting and many believe that was due in part due to the poor quarterback performance of Baker Mayfield.
Now, they have a quarterback who can do it all. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt as his running backs, and Amari Cooper, Jakeem Grant and David Njoku to throw to, the 26-year-old has plenty of firepower at his disposal.
In his last season in 2020, the former Clemson star threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns and just seven interceptions as the Texans finished the year with a 4-12 record.
Just how many games the quarterback will miss, if any, will go a long way in deciding the Browns' fortunes in 2022.