Deshaun Watson has drawn an unexpected penalty from the NFL following the Cleveland Browns’ narrow victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The quarterback was assessed a fine of $14,926 for unsportsmanlike conduct categorized as illegal celebrations and vulgar acts.
According to reporting from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the discipline stemmed from a smoking gesture Watson made after running back Quinshon Judkins scored a second-quarter touchdown.
The motion was not readily apparent on the television broadcast, which is why the specific nature of the violation only became clear later.
Judkins and rookie offensive lineman Austin Barber received similar sanctions for joining the celebration. The league listed the infractions under the same heading of illegal celebrations and vulgar acts.
These penalties arrived shortly after the NFL and the NFL Players Association issued a joint clarification on celebration guidelines. Under the updated guidance, gestures that imitate drinking a beverage are no longer treated as violations.
Actions that depict smoking or drug use, however, remain prohibited and can still trigger a 15-yard penalty, a fine, or both.
The amount is unlikely to create any real hardship for Watson. He is in the final season of the five-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million that he signed when he arrived in Cleveland in 2022. That agreement carries an average annual value of roughly $46 million.
Far more significant is the question of whether the Browns will keep him beyond this year. Cleveland’s 3-1 start has revived discussion about his future. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot has reported that the organization is open to re-signing Watson if his strong play continues under coach Todd Monken.
Possible paths include allowing him to leave in free agency, bringing him back on a short-term bridge deal, or committing to another multiyear contract. Cabot has indicated that a playoff appearance would make an extension or new deal more likely.
In the Steelers game itself, Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The win extended Cleveland’s streak to three consecutive victories after an opening-week loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prior to the Pittsburgh contest, the Browns had largely stayed clear of league discipline, with only one fine recorded across the first three weeks.
The Steelers game produced several additional penalties, including a separate sanction for defensive tackle Adin Huntington on a hip-drop tackle. Players retain the right to appeal such fines through the league’s established review process.
Cleveland travels to face the New York Jets next, looking to keep its momentum intact.
