Nope, that's a CBA rule I think. Suspensions only cost you game checks, not signing bonuses. So the browns gave him a huge signing bonus with a million dollar salary
his contract was specifically structured so he'd lose as little money as possible through suspension.
This is why he went to Cleveland. They structured the contract knowing he would be suspended and he would still get paid well and lose very little. If I recall he wanted nothing to do with Cleveland, then bam… he’s there
I’ve certainly not been one to defend the Browns throughout this, it’s disgusting and I hate it. Even if they do this with others it certainly still is a bad look but it’s worth noting this was not some exception for him, a number of their deals are structured this way. Myles Garrett has a base salary this season of $1.035M. Amari Cooper is $1.120M Denzel Ward is $1.035M Wyatt Teller is $1.5M There are more but you get the point
Their deals weren't fully guaranteed, though, so doing that kind of thing saves the Browns money down the road. Structuring Watson's deal in this way saved the Browns nothing because all of his future $$ is guaranteed against the cap.
The NFL is in a tough spot here. Anything they do will be appealed. They don't have the authority to just suspend him in this case. But the Browns had a choice and willingly signed him, knowing all this shit was going on. Fuck them. Very easy to root against them. In a just world every team would have just blackballed him. If only he'd kneeled during the anthem rather than sexually assault a couple dozen women.
The NFL can appeal and then it goes to Goddell. They can suspend him longer. If they do, it'll end up in court where they have a good track record
IMO, they won't appeal. The act of sweeping this under the rug, putting it "behind them" and getting it out of the headlines will be infinitely better for the NFL than dragging it out and getting an incremental 2, 4, 6, whatever games they are able to get on appeal.
I mean I guess, they could have just let him sit on the bench until his contract expired, but I don't blame them nearly as much as the Browns.
Godell works for the owners. He was selected by them and they can fire him. He made 63million last year. He’s not going to fuck a team owner.
Nothing. I just think this is so gross and the hypocrisy of people cheering for this dude and wanting a guy banned for standing up for an actual right is telling. I’m just lashing out.
Yep. This is the best result for them. They can make money off the sex pest and also go gee sorry our hands are tied here!
I have enjoyed the league much more the last few years w all the up and coming QBs that are fun to watch but crap like this makes me hope this blows up in the League’s face . nothing matters arrogance
The NFL is going to have fun enforcing their sign/posters must be in “good taste” this year for every Browns game. I’m really looking forward to seeing Bills fans jump though massage tables on 11/20.
As a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I've lived my life by two statements: There's always next year. (**this one changed recently #inburrowwetrust) At least we're not Cleveland. Looking at you, Browns. This is an embarrassment.
can't wait for all the #Cleveland Browns fans here to swear they're definitely disgusted by all of this before we fast-forward to the season when they're high-fiving their buddies when Watson throws a TD.