New England Patriots should not have to face Deshaun Watson

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 09: Matt Judon #9 of the New England Patriots (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

The New England Patriots are not likely to face Deshaun Watson this season, after Sue Robinson handed down a six game suspension for the quarterback.

The Deshaun Watson situation has been horrible, to say the least, to follow. The legal proceedings pertaining to this case seem to be about over, as Sue Robinson, the disciplinary officer in charge of this case as it relates to the NFL, handed down a six game suspension for Watson. If this holds, or if he’s suspended longer, the New England Patriots will not have to face him.

It seems wrong to talk about the football side of this, but it is a notable occurrence for the on-field situation.

Deshaun Watson’s endless allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct are depressing to read and hear about.

Earlier today, judge Sue Robinson, who was appointed by the NFL an NFLPA, decided that Watson should be suspended for six games during the 2022 season.

The NFL was pushing for a full year ban, so we’ll see of Commissioner Roger Goodell ends up acting on this further.

The six game suspension for Deshaun Watson takes him out of games against the Panthers, Jets, Steelers, Falcons, Chargers, and Patriots.

Watson would be eligible to return against the Ravens on October 23rd.

The Patriots are traveling to Cleveland for this game, so it helps that Watson likely isn’t playing.

I don’t think it’s likely that they would trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, so the Patriots might end up planning for Jacoby Brissett instead, who is the team’s primary backup.

Brissett is a solid quarterback who does have decent starting experience.

He’s in the fringe starter/high-end backup tier, so he can play a little bit.

However, with the Patriots no longer having to deal with Deshaun Watson, they may be able to travel into Cleveland and steal a win from the team.