Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Deshaun Watson

Discover the career path of Deshaun Watson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Deshaun Watson is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He gained prominence playing college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he led them to a national championship in 2016. Watson was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Houston Texans, marking the beginning of his professional career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2003: Jason White Wins Davey O'Brien Award

In 2016, Watson became the first player since Jason White in 2003-2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years.

2004: Jason White Wins Davey O'Brien Award

In 2016, Watson became the first player since Jason White in 2003-2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years.

2006: Home Donation by Warrick Dunn

In 2006, when Watson was 11 years old, Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, through his charity Homes for the Holidays in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, donated a home to Watson's family.

2010: Attending Gainesville High School

In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson began attending Gainesville High School and played for the school's Red Elephants football team, eventually winning the starting quarterback spot as a freshman.

2011: Clemson's Previous ACC Championship

In 2015, Watson led Clemson to their first ACC championship since 2011. The win against North Carolina resulted in Watson being named the ACC Championship Game MVP.

February 1, 2012: Committing to Clemson University

On February 1, 2012, Deshaun Watson verbally committed to Clemson University, receiving offers from numerous colleges.

January 2014: Enrolling at Clemson

In January 2014, Deshaun Watson enrolled at Clemson University and was allowed to wear his high school number #4, after Steve Fuller gave him permission to use the number. He began as a backup but was named the starter on September 21.

2014: Ranked as Top Quarterback Recruit

In 2014, Deshaun Watson was ranked as the top quarterback recruit for the 2014 class by ESPN 300.

2014: Accolades and Recognition

In 2014, during his junior year, Watson won a state championship and earned accolades such as Junior All-American, 2014 Player to Watch and 2014 Top 100 Recruit.

2015: Heisman Trophy Finalist and Award Winner

For his accomplishments during the 2015 season, Watson was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the first time that a Clemson player had been invited to the Heisman Trophy presentation. Watson finished third in the balloting and he won the Davey O'Brien Award, and was also named the 2015 ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

2015: Leading Clemson to Undefeated Season

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a #1 ranking. He was also named the ACC Championship Game MVP after winning the ACC Championship against North Carolina.

November 8, 2016: Declaring for NFL Draft

On November 8, 2016, Deshaun Watson, along with three other Clemson players, declared for the NFL draft.

2016: Leading Clemson to National Championship

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led the Clemson Tigers to a national championship in college football.

2016: National Championship Game and Record

In 2016, Watson led the Clemson Tigers to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama, but Clemson lost 45-40. Despite the loss, Watson set the record for most total yards in national championship game history, with 478 yards (405 passing / 73 rushing).

2016: Orange Bowl Victory

In 2016, the Clemson Tigers participated in the College Football Playoff and faced the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl. Watson threw for 189 yards and a touchdown and ran for 145 yards and a touchdown, leading Clemson to a 37–17 victory and earning the game MVP honors.

2016: Davey O'Brien Award

In the fall of 2016, Watson became the first player since Jason White in 2003-2004 to win the Davey O'Brien Award in consecutive years. He was also named winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and was the first repeat winner of the Manning Award. For the second consecutive year, Watson was named one of the five Heisman Trophy candidates

May 12, 2017: Signing with the Texans

On May 12, 2017, Watson signed a four-year, $13.84 million contract with the Houston Texans.

September 10, 2017: NFL Debut

On September 10, 2017, Watson made his first regular-season appearance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing his first NFL touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins.

2017: National Championship Victory

In 2017, Clemson defeated Alabama 35–31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, with Watson completing 36 of 56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns, including the last-second game-winning pass. Watson was named the game's offensive MVP.

2017: Drafted by the Houston Texans

In 2017, Deshaun Watson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans.

2018: Texans Trade

In 2017, The Houston Texans had acquired the pick from the Cleveland Browns, trading their 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and their first round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

2018: Guiding the Texans to Division Title

In 2018, Watson guided the Texans to a consecutive division title. He also received Pro Bowl honors as Houston's primary starter.

2019: Guiding the Texans to Division Title

In 2019, Watson guided the Texans to a consecutive division title. He also received Pro Bowl honors as Houston's primary starter.

April 28, 2020: Texans Exercised Fifth-Year Option

On April 28, 2020, the Texans exercised the fifth-year option on Watson's contract.

2020: League-Leading Passing Yards

Despite the team's 4-12 record, Watson finished the 2020 season with a league-leading 4,823 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions.

2020: Trade Request and Standoff

Following the 2020 season, Watson requested a trade from the Texans due to dissatisfaction with changes in the front office and coaching staff. The Texans' unwillingness to negotiate trade offers led to a standoff with Watson.

April 7, 2021: Endorsement Deals Suspended

On April 7, 2021, Nike and Beats by Dre suspended their endorsement deals with Watson. Additionally, Reliant Energy and H-E-B announced they would not engage with Watson in the future.

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2021: Watson Ruled Out of Games

Despite not being officially suspended or placed on any reserve list, Watson was ruled out for every Texans game played in 2021 for "non-injury reasons/personal matter."

March 18, 2022: Traded to the Browns

On March 18, 2022, Watson, along with the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick, was traded to the Browns. The Texans received the Browns' first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as the Browns' third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. Watson also signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns.

August 18, 2022: Suspension Settlement

On August 18, 2022, after the NFL and the NFLPA reached a settlement, Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 regular season and was fined $5 million.

November 28, 2022: Reinstatement and Return to Play

On November 28, 2022, Watson was reinstated from his suspension and added to the 53-man roster. He started against his former team, the Texans, posting a passer rating of 53.4, throwing for 131 yards and one interception. The Browns won 27-14.

2022: Suspension Imposed

As a result of his sexual harassment allegations, Watson was suspended for six regular season games to start the 2022 season by arbiter Sue Lewis Robinson. The NFL later appealed this decision seeking a longer suspension and a fine.

2022: Trade to the Cleveland Browns

In 2022, Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns and signed a five-year contract worth $230 million, one of the largest contracts in NFL history.

2023: Draft Pick Exchange

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade, the Texans received the Browns' first-round draft pick in 2023 and third-round pick in 2023.

2024: Expected Recovery Before NFL Season

After undergoing surgery on November 21, 2023, it was expected that Watson would be fully recovered before the 2024 NFL season.

2024: Draft Pick Exchange

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade, the Texans received the Browns' first-round draft pick in 2024 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. Watson and the Texans also traded the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick to the Browns.

2024: Season-Ending Injury

In 2024, Watson suffered an Achilles tear during the Browns' Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 20, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. He underwent Achilles surgery on October 25.

January 9, 2025: Achilles Re-Rupture

On January 9, 2025, Watson underwent surgery after suffering a re-rupture to his right Achilles tendon, potentially keeping him out for the entire 2025 season.

July 2025: Collusion Scandal Publicized

In July 2025, the fact that Watson's contract was fully guaranteed led to a collusion scandal involving the league and the NFL Players Association. This later led to the resignations of NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell and chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter a few days afterward.

2025: Contract Through 2025 Season

On September 5, 2020, Watson signed a four-year, $177.5 million contract extension with $111 million in guarantees, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season.