As the 2022 NFL calendar shifts to preseason, there’s still no finality regarding Deshaun Watson‘s fate.
Around training camp, former federal judge Sue Robinson recommended that Watson receive a six-game suspension due to violations of the player conduct policy.
However, the league appealed that verdict and is pushing for an indefinite suspension.
Commissioner Roger Goodell could have either followed Robinson’s recommendation or changed the final decision.
But he chose to delegate the review to a third party as he moves forward with other pressing matters regarding the league’s opening.
With the regular season just weeks away, his final length of suspension is still uncertain.
Throughout the proceedings, the NFL Players Association gained its share of critics because the decision still rests with the commissioner.
Watson could have gotten a better deal if the policy wasn’t such.
But former Las Vegas Raiders CEO and CBS Sports analyst Amy Trask has an interesting take on player’s preferences.
Many criticize the @NFLPA for agreeing to a discipline process which gives the @NFL final say, but when bargaining, parties prioritize issues and as the vast majority of players are very good men, one can understand why a party wouldn’t prioritize an issue that applies to so few.
— Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) August 16, 2022
Trask said, “Many criticize the @NFLPA for agreeing to a discipline process which gives the @NFL final say, but when bargaining, parties prioritize issues and as the vast majority of players are very good men, one can understand why a party wouldn’t prioritize an issue that applies to so few.”
For The Good Of All
While Watson’s case generated massive attention, he was only one person being examined.
In contrast, the NFLPA also connects with team owners and league officials regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
It’s a document that affects player salaries, the salary cap, and the revenue split based on football-related shares.
That’s the conversation the NFLPA would like to have because it affects all players.
Meanwhile, Watson’s plight affects only himself.
