Despite Deshaun Watson‘s off-field issues surfacing more than a year ago, it is not certain his NFL punishment will be known by the time the 2022 season begins.

Watson said Friday his plan remains not to settle any of the civil lawsuits filed against him, via Sarah Barshop and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, and has continued to maintain the allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct are without merit. With the criminal cases not producing charges, the civil part of this saga shifts to the forefront regarding NFL discipline. Players do not have to be charged with crimes to be suspended, and the expectation remains the Browns’ new quarterback will be banned for an undetermined stretch.