The hearing for Deshaun Watson is over; what are the next steps?

Kevin Durant, one of the NBA's biggest superstars, requested a trade from the home he selected in free agency, and Nikola Jokic, another superstar, landed the richest NBA contract ever, but the NFL will not be celebrating any superstars. The NFL continued to push for an indefinite suspension of at least one season for Cleveland Browns quarterback, Deshaun Watson, at Thursday's disciplinary hearing. As for Watson's legal team, they remain convinced that the punishment is not based on any evidence. A Texas grand jury declined to indict Watson on criminal charges based on allegations of sexual misconduct made by 24 women last week. Watson settled 20 of the civil lawsuits last week.

In a statement to The Associated Press, two individuals familiar with the case said that Judge Sue Robinson listened to both sides' arguments over the past three days and will make a decision about whether the quarterback violated the league's personal conduct rule. Robinson is the first person to be joint appointed by the NFL Players' Association and the league, who was previously a U.S. District Judge. As for when Robinson will issue his ruling, we do know that post-hearing briefs are due by July 11, and Browns coach Hue Jackson wants to know if his quarterback is available for training camp on July 27. In the case of an appeal by the NFL or the union, the league's commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee would resolve the dispute in writing, as defined in Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement.

In addition to this being Goodell's first hearing in which personal conduct violations are dealt with, Robinson has also been hearing for the first time as the District of Delaware's first female Chief Judge. In spite of the quietness surrounding the former Houston Texans' hearing, an anonymous source told the AP that the NFL believes Watson has committed enough violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy to guarantee his suspension for this season. The NFL, according to this individual, would also require the quarterback to undergo counseling before returning to the field. In his denial of any wrongdoing, Watson maintained his innocence.