After a profitable enchantment of the six-game suspension levied in opposition to Deshaun Watson, an settlement between the NFL and the NFLPA now sees the quarterback sidelined for 11 video games. The quarterback has additionally been handed a $5 million high-quality, the larges ever dealt to any participant in NFL historical past.
The phrases fall wanting the year-long suspension that the league had hoped for, however the settlement no less than prevents additional authorized battles and gives some type of closure to a case that has dominated the headlines for greater than a 12 months.
The Cleveland Browns needed to know that Watson would possible face some type of suspension, however the franchise was nonetheless prepared to ship their 2022, 2023, and 2024 first-round picks; the 2022 third-round choose, and 2024’s fourth-round choose to the Texans to amass the younger quarterback and Houston’s sixth-round choose within the 2024 draft.
As the most recent addition to Cleveland’s unending quarterback carousel, Watson inked a 5 12 months, $230 million deal that sees all $230 assured. The Browns’ resolution to supply a 100% assure ($46 million annual wage) is stunning, not solely as a result of it’s unprecedented at this quantity, however as a result of the specter of an eventual suspension appeared imminent.
Sportsbooks had been fast to react to the information, making swift changes to the Browns’ Super Bowl odds, win totals, and division futures to replicate Watson’s absence from the massive a part of the season.
The staff was by no means anticipated to be a real Tremendous Bowl contender, however Cleveland’s 25-1 odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy shortly fell to 45-1, knocking them out of the top-15 contenders.
Curiously to notice, the Cleveland Browns’ season win complete line solely fell one recreation, regardless of the extra 5 recreation suspension. Bettors might wager on the over/underneath 9.5 wins forward of the ruling, however the line now sits at 8 video games.
Cleveland Browns Betting Odds Actions By way of BetOnline.ag
- Tremendous Bowl: 25-1 to 45-1
- AFC: 11-1 to 20-1
- AFC North: +275 to +475
Will the Browns make the NFL playoffs?
Odds are additionally up for Browns’ win totals for Week 1-11 (4.5) and Week 12-17 (3.5).
“We weren’t stunned that Watson’s suspension was prolonged,” shared BetOnline oddsmaker, Adam Burns. “However the uncertainty was nonetheless there, leaving their Tremendous Bowl odds in flux. We made the transfer from 25-1 to 45-1 as soon as the information got here out.”
“With reference to win totals, they do have a fairly gentle schedule to begin the season. We’re providing a staff win complete of 4.5 in 1st 11 video games, with the complete season line sitting at 8.5.”
“Nonetheless, nobody appears to be betting the Browns whatever the information. It wouldn’t shock me to see the 45-1 getting even greater to stimulate some motion on this extraordinarily unlikely end result.”
As a part of the settlement, Watson will nonetheless be allowed to take part in staff practices and even play in preseason video games up by means of August thirtieth. Deshaun can return to staff services on October tenth, and may be a part of full staff practices on November 14th, two weeks earlier than he’s eligible to return to the sphere.
This enables for Watson to work with the employees, be taught the schemes, and choose up reps with the staff at follow, which means that some chemistry will already be in place when the suspension concludes at first of Week 13.
Watson’s first recreation again? A date along with his former staff, the Houston Texans.