NFL
What’s next for Browns after Mayfield trade, Watson’s future?
Published
1 year agoon

The Cleveland Browns have proven that they are ready for the next chapter of their campaign in the National Football League (NFL) after they traded quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday.
But the Browns will also have to deal with the situation surrounding their current quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faced multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits after he was acquired from the Houston Texans in March.
Let’s explore what lies ahead for the post-Mayfield era in Cleveland and how Watson’s uncertain future will cast a shadow on the Browns’ preparations for the coming 2022-23 NFL season.
BROWNS RELIEVED AS MAYFIELD ON THE MOVE
The Browns may have removed an emotional sting that lasted since the start of the off-season after finally unloading Mayfield despite the uncertainty surrounding Watson’s future.
Mayfield, who will receive $10.5 million from the Browns this season, will then get $5 million from the Panthers under the terms of the deal.
As Mayfield battles for 2018 No.3 overall pick Sam Darenold as the Panthers’ starting quarterback next season, the Browns ponder their options of keeping Watson amid the possibility that he gets suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
LAWSUIT SETTLEMENTS MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH
Watson’s lawyers have been successful in settling 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed by several women against their client for sexual assault and harassment.
But Watson’s actions at massage sessions that involved the women may have caught up with him if the NFL pushes through with a suspension that could last for months or an entire season.
An NFL official told The Associated Press that “settling doesn’t give someone a pass,” which signals an uncertain campaign for the Browns without a capable quarterback to replace Mayfield if Watson gets suspended.
BRISSETT SHOULD STEP UP IF WATSON’S SUSPENSION IMMINENT
Cleveland made a backup plan after signing up veteran Jacoby Brissett, assuring the Browns of another quarterback if Watson does get suspended.
But Browns’ owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam are so far standing by with Watson, whom they met privately at the height of the lawsuits that were exposed to the public.
The Browns also have Joshua Dobbs as another quarterback, but he might be rusty as he last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers between 2018 and 2020.
NEWTON, GLENNON STILL AVAILABLE FOR BROWNS
Cleveland may be confident to push through next season with Watson, Brissett, and Dobbs comprising its quarterback line. But the Browns can still look elsewhere.
Among the notable available names in the market is former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who remains a free agent.
There are also the likes of Mike Glennon, Jets backup Mike White and Sam Darnold who can provide depth to Cleveland should the team seeks to go on a deep run to the playoffs.
Either way, the Browns still have the pieces to compete in the next season. With sound coaching and chemistry to integrate between the newcomers and the veterans, the Browns may still emerge as the better team without Mayfield.

With the approach of September, brace yourself for an upsurge in excitement as a captivating lineup of sporting occasions is on the verge of captivating sports enthusiasts worldwide. The upcoming sports tournaments in September are poised to deliver a whirlwind of athletic skill and adrenaline-charged instances, spanning intense basketball clashes to pulse-pounding soccer duels. Enthusiasts and bettors are eagerly awaiting the most favorable wagers for these imminent sports tournaments, while teams and athletes gear up to contend on the grandest stage. In the upcoming weeks, we will dissect the significant matches, delving deeper into the events set to command global attention.
This article was prepared with the help of our partners from Free Betting Reviews!
September upcoming sports tournaments 2023
US Open Tennis Championship
As the calendar flips to September, the US Open Tennis Championship continues its momentum. The onset of September signals the commencement of the third round of the illustrious US Open tennis tournament. Set against the backdrop of Flushing Meadows in New York, this Grand Slam affair holds an esteemed position in the tennis calendar. Being the final Grand Slam event of the year, the competition is expected to intensify as eminent players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and various others engage in a fierce battle for supremacy on the unforgiving hard courts.
NFL Season Kickoff
September heralds the much-awaited return of the NFL, a momentous occasion for American football aficionados. With the preseason wrapping up in August, the NFL season’s kickoff in September ushers in a flurry of excitement and a plethora of betting prospects. Featuring a jam-packed schedule of games every week, bettors have an array of choices at their disposal when strategizing their wagers. It’s a time when teams embark on their journey toward the Super Bowl, and this monumental pursuit begins right from the inaugural game week.
UEFA Champions League starts
Soccer devotees will find themselves glued to their screens as the group stages of the UEFA Champions League kick off during the third week of September. This premier club competition showcases the crème de la crème of European teams vying for continental dominance. Boasting a mix of star-studded lineups and unexpected contenders, the Champions League is renowned for its unpredictability, often giving rise to enticing betting prospects. Brace yourself for witnessing Europe’s finest teams battling it out on the grandest stage, all in pursuit of one of the most coveted titles across the globe.
FIBA Basketball World Cup
The commencement of the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup takes center stage. This event stands as one of the most renowned and eagerly anticipated spectacles in the global sports arena. The tournament ignites a captivating showcase of skill, tactics, and passion that goes beyond geographical boundaries, uniting basketball enthusiasts worldwide as nations from every corner of the globe converge on the court.
F1 Italian Grand Prix
With the arrival of September each year, the F1 Italian Grand Prix takes the spotlight, drawing the gaze of the motorsports community toward the iconic Monza Circuit situated in Italy. This event serves as the second F1 race following a brief summer hiatus. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Verstappen maintain his dominance in the world of F1 this year?
September ushers in an exhilarating arena encompassing a spectrum of upcoming sports tournaments including tennis, American football, soccer, basketball, and Formula 1. The US Open tennis tournament stirs fervor as it enters its dynamic third round, simultaneously marking the commencement of a fresh NFL season. Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions League illuminates the soccer world with its captivating group stage clashes, while the FIBA Basketball World Cup provides its own dose of exhilaration. Not to be outdone, the F1 Italian Grand Prix captivates the hearts of motorsports enthusiasts. To explore more news tied to these upcoming sports tournaments, ensure to stay connected with Half A Goal!
NFL
Deshaun Watson’s “Rigged” Contract: The NFL Teams Issues
Published
11 months agoon
November 4, 2022
About Deshaun Watson
Watson, Derrick Deshaun, is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was born to Deann Watson and Don Richardson on September 14, 1995, in Gainesville, Georgia. He led his Clemson Tigers football team to a national title in 2016. Watson was a first-round pick for the Houston Texans in the 2017 NFL draft.
A promising rookie season was cut short by an injury, but Watson went on to lead the Texans to division victories in 2018 and 2019, and he led the league in passing yards in 2020. Not only that but in his three years as Houston’s starter, he was selected to the Pro Bowl every year. His career pass rate is second-best all-time, but his completion rate is the best ever (minimum 1,500 attempts).
More than two dozen female massage therapists have accused Watson of sexual harassment and sexual assault beginning in 2021. Even though Watson has paid almost $20 million to settle sexual misconduct charges, he insists he did nothing wrong.
After a dispute with the Houston Texans’ head office and many sexual-misconduct lawsuits sidelined Watson for the entire 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns acquired him in a trade. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022, one of the most expensive contracts in NFL history.
Dissatisfied with the team’s new front office and coaching staff, Watson requested a trade from the Texans after the 2020 season. However, the Texans refused to negotiate with other teams about trade offers, leading to a standoff between Watson and the team until sexual-harassment allegations surfaced.
Watson was named to the Texans’ 53-man roster to begin the season with free-agent signing Tyrod Taylor and rookie Davis Mills, despite the off-field problems and his standing with the team. Texans GM Nick Caserio has said he will take things “one day at a time” with Deshaun Watson.
The “Rigged” Contract
With Deshaun Watson’s 2022 season in limbo as the NFL appeals his six-game ban, the league’s other 31 teams are allegedly dissatisfied with the Cleveland Browns over the “rigged” contract that will suffer minimal financial repercussions from the league’s disciplinary action.
In March, Watson signed a record-breaking five-year, $230 million contract. The contract provided him with $8.9 million in signing incentives but a basic salary of less than $1 million for the 2022 season, presumably in expectation of a ban. This amount will increase to $46 million for the subsequent season. Without a successful appeal, Watson stands to lose approximately $345,000 of his compensation, or approximately $57,500 per game.
According to one report, though, the overall sentiment within the league is one of disappointment. Peter King of NBC Sports reported this week that an influential NFL official stated that the Browns’ manipulation of Watson’s contract such that he would forfeit only a portion of his 2022 salary did not sit well with the league or its other 31 owners.
The NFL star Deshaun Watson is facing more than 20 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and assault by numerous women. As a result of the sexual harassment complaint, Watson has been suspended for six games without pay.
However, he will not be fined for violating the league’s guidelines on personal conduct, which infuriated many people. He was also permitted to participate in the Cleveland Browns’ preseason activities, including their preseason games.
So far, Deshaun Watson has agreed to settle all pending sexual harassment lawsuits save one. Watson apologized to all women affected by this event in a recent interview.
Watson is currently engaged in active negotiations with the NFL in an effort to achieve a settlement regarding the penalty against him. As things currently stand, it appears highly probable that a definitive settlement will be reached very soon.
The NFL Teams Issue
The six-game ban given to Deshaun Watson was first met with outrage from NFL teams, who felt that the punishment was insufficient and should have been more severe. They were also upset with the fine for the six-game suspension, which was $344,655, which is a very little number when compared to his annual pay with the Browns.
There is no penalty applied to Watson’s signing bonus; rather, it is solely applied to his first year’s base salary, which is little more than one million dollars. This particular contractual arrangement was developed specifically to sidestep a more significant penalty.
The National Football League has made it public knowledge that it will file a formal appeal against Watson’s ban and ask for a significantly more severe penalty. It is being stated that the league is looking for a substantially larger fine in addition to an indefinite suspension that will continue for at least one year.
It is not at all unusual for National Football League teams to organize player contracts in a particular manner in order to minimize their financial obligations under the salary cap. Although his base pay is set at $1.12 million and he has an $11.9 million cap hit, Tom Brady is scheduled to make $30 million during his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

Family relations in professional sports are unique, but not unusual. The road to coming to be a professional athlete is a lengthy and arduous one. Becoming a top athlete takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice from everyone involved. However, only 2% of all student-athletes become professional athletes. So when a part of the family earns that title, it feels like all the hard work has paid off. But there have been a few rare instances where multiple families have gone on to great success.
If you take a glimpse at the NFL, there are many examples of siblings playing at the same time. But when one thinks of one of the greatest sibling duos of all time, he can’t help but think of Peyton and Eli Manning. Both brothers were drafted first overall in their respective drafts and are two-time Super Bowl champions each. Both brothers will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Despite a lot of pressure to have the Manning surname, they somehow pushed the size of the name even further.
Some of the brother duos who have been most active in the NFL include:
- The Bosa Brothers – Joey and Nick Bosa
These two, Joey—who plays for the Los Angeles Chargers—and Nick—who plays for the San Francisco 49ers—were game changers as soon as they entered the league. Both are in the top 10 in the league when it comes to edge rushers. Impressive given the quality of quarterbacks in each division. These guys are amazing at what they do
- The Watt Brothers – J.J. And T.J. Watt
Watt’s oldest brother ( J.J., who plays for the Arizona Cardinals) has been a great player for a long time. We’re used to him ruining games from the edge, and while injuries have hindered him a bit in recent years, he’s making up for it with his experience, effective everywhere you place him, but not every play. The youngest Watt (T.J., who plays for the Pittsburg Steelers) relentlessly pursues quarterbacks, maxing out his chances and finishing with a league-best 6.1% Pass-Rush snap in 2021, according to Next Gen Stats.
- The Kelce Brothers – Jason and Travis Kelce
Getting into the NFL is hard enough, let alone playing at the highest level at each position for 10 years. That’s virtually what both Jason (who plays for Philadelphia Eagles) and Travis (who plays for Kansas City Chiefs) have accomplished. Among both of them, they’ve had Pro Bowl nominations and seven First-Team All-Pro selections. These were extraordinary achievements and still add to her legacy.
The Kelces bring a great element to football with their competitive yet fun-loving personality. Jason is the quintessential NFL center of his. He keeps his head down and leads the game at a high level. He is a very athletic anchor who uses his excellent footwork to his advantage and is rarely bullied by defenders. As for Travis, it goes without saying that he is one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the game right now. What stands out the most is that despite his 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound build, he still performs the stretches. He can lift people with his power, but he has the stagger to move sideways and can see the field better than anyone else.
Top Brother Duos
Here are the top five best brother duos in NFL:
- The Manning Brothers
Peyton Manning, who plays for the Broncos, and Eli Manning, who plays for the Giants. Both of Archie’s boys were the No. 1 picks in his NFL Draft, and combined they have three Super Bowls (Eli: 2, Peyton: 1) and four League MVPs (all by Peyton).
- The Harbaugh Brothers
Jim Harbaugh, who coaches for the 49ers, and John Harbaugh, who coaches for the Ravens. Jack’s sons train with each other in Super Bowl XLVII and have an impressive regular season record of 90-43 combined.
- The Ryan Brothers
Rex Ryan, who coaches for the Jets, and Rob Ryan, who is with the Saints. Buddy’s raucous twin follows in the footsteps of their old man as they are one of the best defenders in the game today.
- The Pouncey Brothers
Maurkis, who plays for the Steelers, leads the AFC in the middle of the Pro Bowl voting. Mike, who plays for the Dolphins, is doing well as a rookie.
- The McCourty Brothers
Jason McCourty, who plays for the Titans, and Devin McCourty, who plays for the Patriots. The McCourty brothers, another twin pair, are Hawking’s defenders in the game today. Devin McCourty of the Patriots made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and Jason of the Titans quietly performed well in pick value in his sixth round.

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