Cleveland Browns

Even if new Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is suspended, don't expect the team to return to Baker Mayfield as the starter.

ESPN's Jake Trotter said on SportsCenter that Jacoby Brissett would be next up on the depth chart:

The Cleveland Browns are still bracing for a significant suspension to their starting quarterback. If the NFL does suspend [Deshaun Watson], expect the Browns to enter training camp with Jacoby Brissett, not Baker Mayfield, as their starting quarterback. While Mayfield remains on Cleveland's roster, I've been told he has no intention of playing for the Browns again. Cleveland has no plans for this to happen either. Instead, in the event of a Watson suspension, look for the Browns to move forward with Brissett, the former Indianapolis Colt, as the starter at quarterback.

Brissett, who has made 37 starts over his six-year NFL career, signed with Cleveland on a one-year deal in March. He appeared in 11 games for the Miami Dolphins last season with five starts, totaling 1,283 passing yards, five touchdowns and a 78.1 passer rating.

Watson is the Browns' clear starter under normal circumstances, but his status is in question after accusations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct from 24 women who filed civil lawsuits against him. All but four of those women have agreed to settlements.

The NFL held its own investigation and is reportedly pushing for an indefinite suspension lasting at least one year for violating its personal conduct policy, per Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal. Watson is set to begin his disciplinary hearing Tuesday.

Mayfield would theoretically be a quality replacement as Cleveland's primary starter for the last four seasons. Despite his up and downs, he would be an upgrade over Brissett after totaling 3,010 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 14 games last year.

The 2018 No. 1 overall pick is still unlikely to ever play for the Browns again after requesting a trade in March.

"The relationship is too far gone to mend. It's in the best interests of both sides to move on," Mayfield said in a statement to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Earlier this month, Mayfield was excused from the Browns' mandatory minicamp as the team looks to trade him.

It means if Watson is suspended, Cleveland will be left with only Brissett and Joshua Dobbs as options at quarterback.

The NFL is looking to hand down an indefinite suspension lasting no less than one year under the league's personal-conduct policy to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, per Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal.

Multiple women have accused Watson of sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions that occurred in 2020 and 2021. Twenty of the 24 civil lawsuits brought against the quarterback have been settled, though as of June 13, two more were being processed.

Watson has denied the allegations. In addition, two grand juries declined to indict him on criminal charges in March.

Per Jenny Vrentas of the New York Times, Watson met with at least 66 women for massage appointments over a period of 17 months from 2019 to 2021.

The NYT report stated that the Houston Texans, Watson's old team, provided him with hotel memberships and non-disclosure agreements to use for some of the appointments.

Per Beaton, an answer on Watson's future in the NFL is expected to occur during the week of July 4, if not sooner. An arbitration hearing will occur this upcoming week.

The initial ruling will be made by a neutral arbitrator, former U.S. District Court Judge Sue Robinson.

Beaton gave more insight into why the NFL is pushing for a lengthy suspension:

The league's belief that it should institute what is essentially the strictest discipline it can assess is based on its investigation over the last year, the breadth of the allegations against him and some accusations that NFL officials have concluded are particularly damning. While the league's arguments include the broad array of the accusations against Watson—in addition to the 24 lawsuits, other women have accused him of wrongdoing without taking civil action against him—officials have zeroed in on five of the alleged victims whose cases they believe include the strongest evidence.

The league will focus on those five cases as it argues for the significant ban. Those cases include contemporaneous corroboration, such as text messages, of the women's accounts, two of the people said. League officials believe those allegations in particular are objectively provable and establish a clear and disturbing pattern of behavior from Watson.

Per Beaton, the league will not accept a suspension of less than one year. In addition, an indefinite suspension would give the league the ability to keep Watson away from the game for a longer time if further developments arise, such as an increase in accusations against him.

The NFL and NFLPA have attempted to negotiate Watson's suspension terms, but that has not led to a resolution. In addition, the NFLPA is prepared to fight any decision handed down.

The Cleveland Browns traded for Watson in March and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will begin a disciplinary hearing Tuesday amid the NFL's investigation into allegations of sexual assault or misconduct during massage therapy sessions while Watson was a member of the Houston Texans.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news Saturday. He also noted that the NFL and NFL Players Association jointly appointed former United States District Court Judge Sue L. Robinson as the disciplinary officer for the hearing.

Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women suing Watson over the allegations, announced Tuesday that 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits against the quarterback have been settled:

"Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled. We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won't comment further on the settlements or those cases."

Nakia Cooper of KPRC 2 in Houston reported June 13 that two more lawsuits would be filed against Watson, which would have brought the total number up to 26. It's unclear where things stand with those additional lawsuits at this point.

Per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, one of the two women who contacted Buzbee's firm "was compelled to come forward" after watching a Real Sports on HBO segment featuring two of Watson's accusers.

Per a June 17 report from Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the NFL intends to argue for a "significant" suspension for Watson. One person on Watson's side of the case told Maske the league will "probably" ask for a one-year ban under the personal-conduct policy.

According to CBS Sports HQ's Josina Anderson, negotiations between the league, NFLPA and Watson's advisers about the possible number of games missed "fell apart" because they were not on the same page.

The process for player discipline under the personal-conduct policy changed when the new collective bargaining agreement was implemented in March 2020. The NFL and NFLPA jointly agree to appoint a disciplinary officer.

After the disciplinary officer renders a decision, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, or his designee, still retains the power to "overturn, reduce, modify or increase the discipline previously issued," and the decision will be "final and binding on all parties."

In the event the disciplinary officer issues no discipline, Goodell or his designee doesn't have the ability to alter that decision and implement a suspension.

Watson is entering his first season with the Browns. He was acquired March 20 in a trade with the Texans. The 26-year-old signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract extension with Cleveland.

Recent discussions over the length of the suspension that will be issued to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy "fell apart," according to CBS Sports HQ's Josina Anderson.

Anderson reported the NFL, NFL Players Association and advisors for Watson were unable to reach an agreement over how many games he would be suspended.

Amid numerous allegations and 24 civil lawsuits accusing Watson of sexual assault or misconduct during massage therapy sessions, he missed the entire 2021 season with the Houston Texans. But the league has yet to render a final judgment after launching its own investigation into the allegations.

In May, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was "nearing the end" of its inquiry. However, the New York Times' Jenny Vrentas reported on new allegations against Watson, a story that also implicated the Texans.

Per Vrentas, Watson said in a deposition he had alerted Houston's director of security, Brent Naccara, after a woman said she "could really expose you" in reference to the three-time Pro Bowler after he allegedly touched her and made unwanted sexual advances without her consent during massage sessions.

Watson said Naccara subsequently left a nondisclosure agreement in his locker, which he then began taking with him to massage appointments.

Per Vrentas, Watson also said in a deposition that the team had provided him with a membership to a private club and hotel where multiple massage therapy appointments were held and that membership was not in his name. One woman who had a massage appointment with Watson at the hotel said the room was under the name of a member of the Texans' training staff.

Vrentas' report led many to wonder whether the NFL's investigation would extend further or lengthen Watson's punishment.

The Washington Post's Mark Maske reported on June 17 the NFL believes Watson violated the league's personal conduct policy and should get a "significant" suspension. A season-long ban was cited as a possible outcome.

Mike Jones of USA Today also reported one year was the expected period of time.

Under the terms of the most recent collective bargaining agreement, the NFL cannot unilaterally hand down a suspension for Watson. An independent disciplinary officer—currently former district court judge Sue L. Robinson—weighs in as well, though the commissioner can amend the disciplinary officer's ruling when a suspension is deemed appropriate. Any suspension would also be eligible for appeal by the NFLPA.

"This first case being resolved under the new disciplinary system is a high-profile matter," Maske wrote. "A person on Watson’s side wondered whether Goodell might be reluctant to overturn the neutral arbitrator’s disciplinary ruling in the first case."

In the meantime, Watson has settled the majority of the civil lawsuits against him. Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiffs, said on Tuesday 20 of the 24 suits have been settled.

The NFL is reportedly looking to hand down a "lengthy" suspension to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been accused of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in 24 civil lawsuits.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the matter during an appearance on ESPN 97.5 Houston's The Bench:

"My understanding is the league does want a lengthy suspension for Deshaun Watson," Schefter said. "Lengthy."

He also noted that the NFLPA intends to fight any suspension the NFL gives to Watson.

Watson has settled 20 of the civil lawsuits against him. He denies any wrongdoing, per Juan A. Lozano and Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press.

"I never assaulted anyone," Watson said on June 14. "I never harassed anyone or I never disrespected anyone. I never forced anyone to do anything."

Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges in March after 10 women filed criminal complaints with police.

The NFL can still suspend Watson under its personal conduct policy. The league notably used the policy to suspend free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown (eight games), Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (six games) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (initially six games, reduced to four).

The league will present the findings of its investigation to NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson and give a recommendation for punishment, though the former district court judge, who was jointly appointed to the position by the NFL and NFLPA, will make the final decision.

A New York Times report from Jenny Vrentas indicated that Watson met with at least 66 women over a period of 17 months for massage appointments. In addition, his former team, the Houston Texans, provided him with a hotel membership where he held appointments and non-disclosure agreements (NDA) to be used for the women who provided massage services.

In addition, Houston detective Kamesha Baker said in a pretrial deposition that she believed Watson "committed criminal indecent assault, sexual assault and prostitution in cases where money was exchanged and there was consensual sex," per Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today.

The Browns traded for Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, in March and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract.