We are now just mere weeks from the kickoff of the regular season, and while teams around the league make preparations for the start of the season, there is still plenty of news off of the field as well.
Here are some of the biggest stories in the NFL from this week.
Watson Gets 11 Game Suspension
According to ProFootbalNetwork’s Aaron Wilson, it finally appears that there is a resolution to the Deshaun Watson suspension. On Thursday, it was announced that the league and the player’s association agreed on an 11-game suspension and a fine of $5 million.
Initially, Watson had been suspended for six games by Sue Robinson, the appointed disciplinary officer. After the league appealed the suspension, it was set to be decided by a third party appointed by the league in the form of Peter Harvey.
Before Harvey could make his decision, though, the league and player’s association were able to find common ground on a penalty that was acceptable to both sides.
The suspension stems from an investigation based on sexual assault allegations by 24 women while Watson was receiving massages. While criminal charges were dismissed, the league still found that he had broken the league’s personal conduct policy.
Ironically, if Watson is to miss the first 11 games of the season, that would set him up to return to play the Houston Texans in Week 13 (the team has a bye in Week 9), the team that traded him to the Cleveland Browns.
Watson has not played since 2020, when he played in 16 games for the Houston Texans and threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions. He also rushed for 444 yards and three touchdowns that season.
In his absence, Jacoby Brissett would be the next name on the depth chart; however, there has been speculation that the Browns could look into a trade for the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo.
It remains to be seen exactly who will start for Cleveland in Week 1, but the Browns currently have the third-best odds of winning the AFC North at +370, and they are +3000 to win the Super Bowl this season.
Derwin James Gets Record Contract
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers made news as they signed Derwin James to a record contract for an NFL safety. According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the four-year extension is worth just over $76 million, with $42 million of it guaranteed.
Last season, the 26-year-old James played in 15 games. In that span, he amassed 118 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Despite his solid efforts, the Chargers still ranked 29th in scoring defense last season as they allowed 27 points per game to opponents.
Still, with James locked up for the foreseeable future, that is a step in the right direction as the defense looks to improve this season.
The Chargers are currently +240 to win the AFC West, second-best in the division behind the Kansas City Chiefs. They have the sixth-best odds of winning the Super Bowl this season at +1400.
Daniel Jones Had Surgery On Neck This Offseason
According to the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, New York Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones had surgery on his neck this offseason. While the surgery was said not to be related to football, it still obviously raises red flags as he missed the end of last season due to a neck injury.
The 25-year-old quarterback is expected to be ready for Week 1, but he certainly has a lot to prove. In 11 games last season, he threw for 2,428 yards, ten touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Finishing 4-13, good for dead last in the NFC East, the Giants have a considerable amount of work to do to be relevant again. They currently have the worst odds of winning the NFC East at +700, and they are +8500 to win the Super Bowl.
