NFL insider addresses rumors that Cleveland Browns know how long Deshaun Watson will be suspended

After trading for Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns were left with a Baker Mayfield quandary. Many speculated that the team wanted to keep him on their books in case Watson was suspended for the season.

However, with Baker Mayfield now out the door and a final suspension announcement looming, many have questioned the reasoning behind the trade. Do the Browns already know the final verdict on Deshaun Watson? Did this give them the confidence to safely trade Baker Mayfield?

Speaking on this topic on 92.3 The Fan, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that no decision has been reached:

"What I can tell you is that neither side is expecting Sue Robinson to rule prior to next week. The briefs are due early next week that she requested from both sides. Could Sue issue a ruling beforehand if everybody got all their information in? Yes, but that's probably not a particularly likely scenario."

He went on to outline what the NFL was originally looking for:

"Obviously we know that the NFL made the pitch for a one-year minimum banishment, but the opportunity to apply for return in 2023. There's also no precedent for a suspension of that length, much less for somebody who was not criminally charged."

He also explained that the judge may take some time to make a ruling, given the amount of information provided in the hearing.

"And that's not to say that a player can't get suspended without criminal charges. We've seen it in the past we saw with Ezekiel Elliott... In this case, you have a former federal judge who is adjudicating this [who] held a three-day hearing and collected a lot of information."

He wrapped up by saying that a full-year suspension would come as a surprise:

"I would certainly say it would be a surprise if Deshaun Watson is not suspended. But there would certainly be people who have been familiar with the details of that hearing, who would be surprised if it ends up being a year or more, so we'll get the final answer here sometime in the next couple of weeks."

Deshaun Watson's legal trouble

Cleveland Browns Introduce New Quarterback

Following the 2020 season, Watson hit a roadblock. After a disappointing 4-12 run with the Houston Texans, he was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women.

The ensuing debacle was one of the reasons Watson skipped the entire 2021 season. In early 2022, he was cleared of criminal charges, but still had to deal with civil suits. This offseason, the number of cases filed against him rose to 24. But the quarterback recently settled 20 of those 24 suits.

Since then, Watson has turned his attention to the NFL investigation and is awaiting a final ruling on the length of his suspension.

Will the quarterback see the field this coming season? If he does, will he look as good as he did in 2020, when he threw 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions? We will just have to wait and see.

If any of the above quotes are used, please credit 92.3 The Fan and H/T Sportskeeda.