Cleveland Browns

The NFL's appeal of Deshaun Watson's six-game ban is really bad news for the QB ... so says former Browns GM Michael Lombardi, who tells TMZ Sports he now expects the suspension to increase significantly.

The league announced on Wednesday it was appealing the ruling Sue L. Robinson handed down on Monday -- but it has yet to publicly specify the punishment it truly thinks Watson deserves for his alleged sexual misconduct with female massage therapists.

But, Lombardi tells us he believes Roger Goodell and the league will be looking for at least 12 games ... and is almost certainly targeting a full-year suspension for the 26-year-old Cleveland star.

"I know the league wants a year," said Lombardi, who was the GM for the Browns in 2013. "They've made that pretty clear to all people that they leak information to. They're negotiating off a year -- we know the Players Association wants six games. Do they settle on 12? I don't know. I think a lot of this comes down to the simple fact, who's going to win in federal court?"

Lombardi tells us based on Robinson's ruling, the NFL will likely win in court -- which means The Shield has most of the leverage here ... and should ultimately get what it wants.

As for how the Browns' org. should feel about it all -- Lombardi says it can't have buyer's remorse ... because it had to have known what it was getting into.

"I mean, it was out in the open," he said ... "The key in scouting and being in the front office is to learn more about the player before you acquire him than after you acquire him and if they didn't do that, then shame on them."

Deshaun Watson could be suspended for more than 6 games after all ... the NFL announced Wednesday it is appealing Monday's initial ruling.

The league had three days to decide if it would appeal Sue L. Robinson's choice to only ban Watson for six games, and after using nearly every allotted hour, The Shield revealed it will now do it.

According to a statement from the league, the appeal will either be heard by commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Goodell or his designee will then "issue a written decision that will constitute final disposition of the dispute and is binding."

It is expected that this will mean Watson will serve a ban longer than six games.

In fact, famed business and legal analyst Andrew Brandt told "TMZ Live" on Tuesday he expected that if the league appealed the suspension, it would not only increase the ban, but would also tag on a "big fine."

As we reported, Robinson initially handed down the suspension after she ruled the 26-year-old QB had been sexually inappropriate with multiple female massage therapists.

The NFL is in a damned-if-it-does, damned-if-it-doesn't situation regarding the appeal of Deshaun Watson's suspension ... so says Andrew Brandt, who said on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday the league is now in a "really tricky" spot.

With Sue L. Robinson suspending the Cleveland Browns star six games on Monday following allegations the 26-year-old QB was sexually inappropriate with multiple female massage therapists, the NFL now has roughly one and a half more days to decide if it wants to appeal that ban.

Most think the league should -- six games, after all, feels awfully light when considering the nature, and number, of the accusations -- but Brandt told Harvey and Charles appealing to make sure Watson serves a longer punishment is no slam dunk.

As for why -- the famed business and legal analyst says the NFL might not want to undermine Robinson's decision ... seeing as the league will be working with the former judge on similar cases in the future.

"That may be why -- along with changing the focus to back on the field -- to say, 'OK, we're going to take the six games and run,'" Brandt said. "Even though the public opinion on the other side is that this is way too light."

If the NFL does ultimately decide to appeal, Brandt said he expects Watson's suspension to significantly lengthen.

"It's going to be fascinating to see if they do [appeal] or not," he said.

"It is unacceptable, insulting, and dangerous!"

That's the National Organization of Women (NOW) responding to Deshaun Watson's six-game suspension for sexual misconduct ... telling TMZ Sports it clearly shows "money talks, and women are unheard."

Watson's six-game suspension was announced Monday after disciplinary officer, former U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled the Browns QB violated the NFL's personal conduct policy, sidelining Watson for roughly a third of the season.

NOW -- the nation's leading organization for women's rights -- says the ruling is "unacceptable, insulting, and dangerous" ... but not surprising, 'cause the league and its players have been in similar situations before.

"The NFL has had a violence against women problem for years -- and everyone knows it," NOW said.

It's worth noting the NFL didn't hand down the suspension ... that was the former judge's call. In fact, the NFL reportedly wanted Watson to receive a significantly stronger suspension.

The league can appeal the decision, if they choose.

National Organization of Women also called out the Browns organization for giving Watson a $230M contract despite the accusations, 20+ lawsuits, and a pending suspension.

"They re-structured his contract to make the majority of his $46 million first-year payout a “signing bonus,” not tied to him playing actual games," NOW said.

"Shame on the Cleveland Browns for rewarding Deshaun Watson and shame on the NFL for perpetuating a system where money talks, and women aren’t heard."

In fact, NOW believes the 26-year-old shouldn't see a dime from the contract, on top of demanding the NFL change its policies.

"Deshaun Watson must not be allowed to profit from his horrific behavior," NOW said, "and the NFL must change its business model that allows, enables, and hides sexual misconduct into one that respects women and holds abusers accountable."

Deshaun Watson has just been suspended for six games ... after more than 20 women accused the Cleveland Browns quarterback of being sexually inappropriate with them.

Disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson made the ruling early Monday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, finding the 26-year-old did violate the league's personal conduct policy.

Both the NFL and the NFL Players Association will have the opportunity to appeal the suspension -- though the NFLPA said in a statement on Sunday night it would accept Robinson's decision and urged "the NFL to do the same."

Former New England Patriot Jacoby Brissett, who Cleveland signed this offseason, is expected to be the starter for the Browns while Watson is out.

Monday's ruling comes over one year after Watson was initially accused of sexual misconduct in a civil lawsuit. The woman, Ashley Solis, alleged in court documents Watson had been inappropriate with her during a massage therapy session.

Shortly after, several more female masseuses filed lawsuits with similar accusations against the QB. In total, 25 were ultimately filed, though one was dropped in April 2021.

Twenty-three of the 24 cases have since been settled as of Sunday night, according to the attorney for the women, Tony Buzbee.

Watson -- who will be allowed to participate in the Browns' training camp and their preseason games -- has continually denied all wrongdoing. He was never arrested or criminally charged over the accusations.

Mark Wahlberg is still pulling for his guy, Baker Mayfield ... telling TMZ Sports the new Carolina Panthers quarterback has a "bright future ahead of him" -- even if it's not in Foxborough.

Remember, Wahlberg previously told us TWICE he saw #6 as Tom Brady's successor with the New England Patriots ... saying Mayfield was the "heir to the throne."

Of course, that was before a guy named Mac Jones came along ... and while he's "absolutely" still a fan of Bake, Mark is coming to terms with the fact he won't be seeing him in a Patriots uniform anytime soon.

"It's a very stacked field at the quarterback position," Wahlberg said in New York this week. "It also has to do with the coach and the team, but he's got a big, bright future ahead of him."

Mayfield was recently traded to the Panthers after a bad falling out with Cleveland ... which was sparked by the Browns' pursuit of Deshaun Watson.

Baker says he felt disrespected by the Browns' handling of the situation ... but says he's moved on and is excited for a fresh start in Charlotte.

Nick Chubb is not human ... the Browns running back continues to prove why he's one of the toughest backs in the NFL to take down, squatting 610 pounds while jamming out to Meek Mill and Tory Lanez!

The 26-year-old hit up the Williams Strength Facility at Cedartown High School in Georgia ... where he stole the show with his incredible feat of strength.

In the video, Chubb settles under the tsunami bar -- which appears to have 7-45 lb. plates on each side (14 total) -- assumes the squat position, and gets to work.

Chubb was able to complete 2 full reps of the 600-plus lb. bar ... and while he was flanked by spotters to his left, right and rear, there was no doubt Nick was finishing the lift.

As you probably know, Nick's a beast in the weight room. In May, his brother Zack posted footage of him squatting nearly 700 lbs. And, he didn't only lift it, he did it with pretty good form, considering the load.

In control the entire time, Nick handled the 675 pounds bar with relative ease ... as people cheered him on.

The NFL season's fast approaching, and it seems the 3x 1,000-yard rusher is ready for another Pro Bowl season.

New team. Same number.

Baker Mayfield will be wearing his customary number 6 this upcoming season ... thanks to his new teammate, All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker, who agreed to let the polarizing QB have the number he sported throughout his college and NFL career.

Mayfield was introduced by the Carolina Panthers at a press conference on Tuesday ... when a reporter asked him about the importance of number 6, and whether he'd be rocking a new digit this season.

"I guess it's time to break the news," Baker said. "I made a deal, did my own negotiating with Johnny [Hekker]. Obviously when it comes to a 4-time All-Pro, [I] had to ask permission. [He] was willing to make those sacrifices."

"Six is special to me, not because it was ever my favorite number. It was the number I was given as a walk-on at Texas Tech and when I transferred, the people at Oklahoma thought it was my favorite number, so they just gave it to me again."

"It's just stuck with me," Mayfield added.

The former No.1 overall pick said the No.6 "symbolizes my story" and that it's "something special to him now," adding, that he's incredibly thankful Hekker -- a 10-year NFL veteran and stud punter -- was willing to accommodate his request.

It's unclear what the number cost Baker ... 'cause it almost certainly wasn't free. Over the years we've seen everything from cash, vacations and fancy gifts exchanged for numbers.

Baker also touched on the transition from Cleveland to North Carolina ... and talked about what the possibility of playing his old team -- the Browns -- Week 1 would mean to him.

"I'm extremely excited for this new start in Charlotte," the 27-year-old said. "It's just an exciting time for myself and my family and this new chapter."

Baker Mayfield's time in Cleveland is officially over -- the former first overall pick is heading to the Carolina Panthers, according to reports.

27-year-old Mayfield is being shipped to Charlotte in exchange for a 2024 conditional 5th-round pick, per Ian Rapoport.

The trade -- which is pending a physical -- comes after months of speculation ... with Mayfield penning a heartfelt goodbye to Browns fans amid Cleveland's pursuit of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

The Browns will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield's salary this season ... with the Panthers shelling out $5 million.

Mayfield joins a familiar face in the QB room -- fellow 2018 top pick Sam Darnold -- as well as rookie Matt Corral and P.J. Walker.

Mayfield played in 60 games over 4 years for the Browns ... leading the franchise to a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.

His most recent season was riddled with injuries ... going 6-8 with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Despite being undoubtedly the best Browns QB since the franchise's return in 1999, Mayfield previously said he felt disrespected by the organization as they traded for Watson, whose NFL future remains uncertain amid claims of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists.

The best part about the trade -- Baker's Panthers will face off against the Browns in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.

The attorney representing the two dozen women accusing Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct says all but four of the lawsuits against the NFL star have now been settled.

The accusers' lawyer, Tony Buzbee, just made the announcement ... saying in a statement, "Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled."

"We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed."

Buzbee added, "The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases."

As we previously reported, 24 different female massage therapists -- all represented by Buzbee -- had accused Watson of wrongdoing in 24 separate lawsuits filed over the past 15 months in Harris County, Texas.

The women, according to the suits, alleged Watson was inappropriate with them during what was supposed to be professional massage sessions.

Watson -- who was not arrested and not criminally charged over the allegations -- had denied all wrongdoing repeatedly ... reiterating just last week he "never assaulted any woman."

Watson has yet to comment on Buzbee's announcement.

Buzbee said Ashley Solis' lawsuit is one of the four against Watson that still remains unsettled. Solis was the first massage therapist to step forward in 2021 and accuse Watson of misconduct.

Deshaun Watson faced the Cleveland media for the first time since his intro presser with the Browns ... saying it's been "tough" to fight the sexual misconduct allegations made against him, but doubling down and adamantly denying he did anything wrong.

The Browns' $230-million man spoke with reporters after practice on Tuesday ... and gave detail on how he's doing as a mountain of lawsuits from two dozen massage therapists stands before him.

"Honestly, it's been tough," Watson said. "Just trying to make sure that I stay balanced with my mental and just my social life. But, I have a great family. I have a great legal team. and I have a great support cast here in this organization."

Watson says his focus has been on making the Cleveland Browns a better team ... and the support from his teammates and fans has made it easier on him as he tries to defend his name.

26-year-old Watson also spoke about his time with NFL investigators ... saying, "I spent hours with the people that they brought down and that's all I can do, is be honest and tell them exactly what happened."

"I know they have a job and I have to respect that and that's what we want to do, is cooperate, and they have to make a decision best for the league."

Watson -- who's accused of meeting with over 60 different masseuses over a 17-month span -- says the recent New York Times report doesn't sound right to him ... and he'll continue to fight to defend his name.

Deshaun previously spoke with the media about the allegations in March ... saying he "never assaulted any woman."

Two more lawsuits were filed after that statement.

WWE superstar The Miz -- a HUGE Cleveland sports fan -- says he ain't droppin' his Browns support due to the Deshaun Watson trade ... but he did tell TMZ Sports he will never wear the QB's jersey.

We got the wrestler out in NYC this week ... and given the new sexual misconduct allegations against Watson this month -- we had to ask if his Browns fandom is still intact.

The Miz said yes -- reminding us that he's been rooting for the NFL team for decades -- but he made it clear, he won't tout Watson as his favorite player.

"Yeah, I'm still a Cleveland Browns fan," the 41-year-old said. "But you're not going to see me wearing a Watson jersey."

The Browns traded for Watson in March and gave him a massive, fully guaranteed $230 MILLION contract ... despite more than 20 women alleging he had been sexually inappropriate with them during massage therapy sessions in the past few years.

Since the trade, two more civil lawsuits have been filed against Watson claiming misconduct -- while other women have came forward to the New York Times to make further allegations against him.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about all of the new claims during Browns practice on Wednesday, but he told reporters, "I think for me, I'm going to be respectful of the investigation, of the legal proceedings and let that play out."

Deshaun Watson allegedly received massages from at least 66 women over the course of 17 months ... this according to a new investigation into troubling claims made against the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

26-year-old Watson -- who previously stated he hired around 40 different massage therapists during his five years in Houston -- is being accused of making sexual advances towards multiple massage therapists who are speaking out for the first time, according to the New York Times.

One woman -- who did not file a lawsuit or go to police -- claims Watson requested she put her hands "uncomfortably close" to his testicles as she worked on his behind and upper thighs ... and when he flipped onto his back, he was erect and "begged" her to put her mouth on his penis, which she said she rejected.

Another woman who met with Watson says he initiated sexual acts during each of their three appointments ... claiming he "got into the happy baby yoga pose -- on his back with his feet in his hands -- and asked her to massage between his testicles and anus."

The therapist -- who did not sue -- says she laughed off the request but Watson grabbed her wrist and put her hand in that area.

The report also claims the Texans' head of security provided Watson with non-disclosure agreements to give massage therapists ... which were put in his locker after one therapist threatened to "expose" him on Instagram.

Watson -- who has adamantly denied any wrongdoing -- appeared to respond to the report on Tuesday ... quoting "Rich Off Pain" by Lil Baby, Lil Durk and Rod Wave on his Instagram story.

"See, the blogs can't break me down, see, I'm the voice, I don't reply," Durk says in the song.

"But the rumors y'all done heard, I'ma humbly deny, yeah, yeah."

Watson is now facing 24 lawsuits over claims of sexual misconduct during massage appointments. Two grand juries in Texas declined to charge Watson over the allegations back in March ... but his NFL future remains uncertain as the league investigates.

A 24th female masseuse has just filed a lawsuit against Deshaun Watson ... alleging the NFL star was sexually inappropriate with her during a massage session -- and the new allegations are graphic.

In the suit, filed in Harris County, Texas on Monday, Katy Williams claims Watson got in contact with her back in 2020 to set up a professional rubdown.

On Aug. 5, 2020, the woman says she massaged Watson without issue -- and the quarterback gave her $100 for her services.

A few days later, however, Williams says during a second massage session with the QB, which she says took place at her apartment, he became very inappropriate.

Williams claims in the suit that Watson asked her to rub his inner thighs, and then demanded she go higher and higher, which caused her to touch his scrotum.

In the docs, Williams says Watson eventually got an erection, and then stood up and masturbated. She said he ultimately ejaculated, and some of his semen got on her chest and face.

She says in the suit she ran away from Watson into a bathroom to clean herself off -- and claimed when she returned, the 24-year-old "offered no apology or explanation for his conduct."

Williams said in the suit he then paid her $150, and left. She claimed in the docs the incident left her "humiliated and traumatized."

She added that she quit massage therapy a short time later. She's asking for damages in the suit.

Williams' attorney, Tony Buzbee -- who's representing Williams and 23 other women in the civil cases against Watson -- said in a statement of the new lawsuit on Monday, "Our entire team is incredibly proud to represent these women, and we look forward to the day when we can lay out their cases in detail in front of a jury."

Deshaun Watson seems to be shooting himself in the foot ... courtesy of his own lawyer, who is now trying to clarify comments he made about massages and "happy endings." 😣

The Browns QB -- who's been cleared in a criminal probe, but still faces a mountain of civil suits about alleged sexual misconduct from multiple women -- is in damage control this week ... this after his lead attorney, Rusty Hardin, made some wild remarks on the air.

The dude was doing an interview with SportsRadio 610 (based out of Houston, DW's previous home in the NFL) when he said it isn't technically illegal for men to get a little something extra at the end of a session ... so long as nobody is forced or coerced into it.

Yeah ... he literally said that. And yes, it left a lot of people with their mouths open, because they couldn't believe Hardin had said it ... seemingly in connection to Deshaun's sitch.

You can listen to what he said for yourself and decide whether he's talking about Deshaun or not -- especially in light of Hardin's clarifying comments thereafter, in which he said he was talking "hypothetically," and that his remarks in no way, shape or form explicitly reflected what Deshaun had or hadn't done pertaining to all these masseuses accusing him.

BTW, the number of lawsuits he's facing is now in the dozens (24 to be exact) and the NFL's apparently on the verge of announcing their decision on what to do about DW this season.

Of course, Deshaun was signed to a monster contract during this offseason ... getting a five-year $230 million deal from the Browns, with all the dough guaranteed. And it's not even clear if he'll even play in 2022!

Browns linebacker Anthony Walker's presser was interrupted in a very good AND expensive way -- Deshaun Watson came up and gifted him a brand new Rolex as a "thank you" for giving up his jersey number!!

#4 has belonged to Walker since he signed with the Browns in 2021 ... which is the same number Watson's been rockin' since his Clemson and Texans days.

When the quarterback was shipped to Cleveland in March, Walker gave up his jersey on the spot ... and Watson rewarded him by handing over a Rolex box during his press conference after OTAs on Wednesday.

"Appreciate you, man," Walker said to Watson during his presser.

The two hugged it out and media members were left curious ... with one reporter asking, "You're not gonna open that here?"

Walker laughed it off ... saying, "Nah, I'm not. That's a good guy," ... but the media were determined to get to the bottom of things and asked if it was for about the number change.

"We'll keep that on the hush, but yeah."

Watson has been showing major love -- not to just Walker -- but to the whole team ... just last week, he took the Browns' offense on a trip to the Bahamas for some team bonding.