Deshaun Watson appears to believe that NFL discipline is possible in 2022. Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson contract includes contingency for possible suspension?

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated 3/18/22

Deshaun Watson appears to believe that NFL discipline is possible in 2022, at least based on the terms of his new Cleveland Browns contract.

According to multiple reports, Watson’s contract with the Browns includes a $45 million signing bonus with a $1 million base salary for 2022. That ensures that Watson would lose only $55,555 per game as a result of any suspension.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network added that Watson’s agents had been asking other teams for a similar structure.

One of the things his agent proposed to other teams involved as well… https://t.co/jhTzFFcacS

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2022

Watson has been facing allegations of sexual assault by 22 women. He has been criminally cleared, but still faces civil suits.

The NFL can still suspend Watson even if he is not found criminally liable. The league has done this in the past in other instances, and the contractual language indicates that Watson’s representatives think it is at least possible here.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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