Deshaun Watson declined an early NFL suspension offer of less than a year. Packers' Rodgers credits his MVP seasons to psychedelics. Saints rookie Penning was kicked out of practice for his third fight in three days, plus more NFL news
Deshaun Watson declined early NFL suspension offer of less than a year
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson rejected an early offer by the NFL that would have resulted in a suspension of less than a year. But now that the NFL has appealed his six-game suspension, things could get worse.
According to reports, the NFL originally wanted Watson suspended for at least a year, and the league is pressing to make that happen, CBSSports reported. In the days leading up to the verdict by Judge Sue Robinson, however, the NFL tried to work out a settlement.
Although the league wanted a full year, they were willing to reduce the penalty. The reported offer was a 12-game suspension and a fine of $8-10 million.
However, Watson's legal team shot down the offer, unwilling to accept any deal that would have suspended the quarterback for more than eight games. His team was also not willing to accept a heavy fine.
Now, with the NFL in charge of the appeal process, many believe Watson will be hit with an indefinite suspension of at least one year.
Packers' Rodgers credits his consecutive MVP seasons to psychedelics
Green Bay Packers MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is crediting the use of psychedelics for his performance. Rodgers was named NFL MVP for the last two consecutive seasons, despite being in his late 30s.
Specifically, Rodgers credited the Ayahuasca plant, which is found in South America, with improving his mental health, CBSSports reported.
"I came back and knew that I was never gonna be the same," Rodgers said during an interview on The Aubrey Marcus Podcast. "...deep self-love and healing that can happen on the other side."
"I had a magical experience with the sensation of feeling a hundred different hands on my body imparting a blessing of love and forgiveness for myself and gratitude for this life from what seemed to be my ancestors," Rodgers said. "To be way more free at work, as a leader, as a teammate, as a friend, as a lover. I really feel like that experience paved the way for me to have the best season of my career."
Saints rookie Trevor Penning kicked out of practice for fighting
After getting into the third fight in as many days, New Orleans Saints rookie defensive tackle Trevor Penning, a first-round pick, was kicked out of practice this week, CBSSports reported.
"We don't have time for that," said Saints head coach Dennis Allen. "I sent two guys in today and we've got to get our work done."
"We've got to learn as a team how to compete and how to play and how to practice and push ourselves to the limit but yet not take it over the edge," Allen continued. "It's not unusual for something like that to occur in training camp. It's certainly something we don't want to see happen. It'll be addressed and we'll move forward."
Veteran free agent linebacker Kiko Alonso to return to Saints
A familiar face is returning to the New Orleans Saints after the franchise signed free agent linebacker Kiko Alonso, who previously played for the team during the 2019-2020 seasons. Alonso hasn't played in over two years, after tearing his ACL in the Saints' playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings at the end of the 2019 season, NOLA reported.
Alonso was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, a season in which he earned runner-up honors for the defensive rookie of the year. During his time with the Miami Dolphins (2016-2018), he averaged 120 tackles.