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 a professional American football quarterback currently playing for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He previously played college football at Clemson University, where he led the team to win a national championship in 2016. In 2017, Watson was drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans, marking the beginning of his NFL career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: Home Donation by Warrick Dunn

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

2010: Attended Gainesville High School and Played Football

In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson attended Gainesville High School and played for the school's Red Elephants football team, becoming the first-ever freshman starting quarterback under coach Bruce Miller.

2011: Clemson's First ACC Championship Since 2011

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led the Tigers to a 45-37 win, Clemson's first ACC championship since 2011.

February 1, 2012: Commitment to Clemson University

On February 1, 2012, Deshaun Watson verbally committed to Clemson University.

2015: Led Clemson to Undefeated Regular Season

In 2015, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a #1 ranking in the polls.

November 8, 2016: Declared for the NFL Draft

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

2016: Orange Bowl Victory

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to a 37-17 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, earning game MVP honors.

2016: College Football Playoff National Championship Loss

In 2016, Deshaun Watson led Clemson to the College Football Playoff National Championship game, where they lost to Alabama 45-40. Watson set a record for most total yards in national championship game history, with 478 yards.

2016: National Championship

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

May 12, 2017: Signed with the Houston Texans

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

September 10, 2017: First Regular Season Appearance

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

2017: College Football Playoff National Championship Victory

In 2017, Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship, securing their second national championship. Watson was named the game's offensive MVP.

2017: Donation to Hurricane Harvey Victims

In 2017, Deshaun Watson donated his first NFL game check of approximately $27,000 to three NRG Stadium cafeteria employees affected by Hurricane Harvey.

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 Traded 2018 First Round Pick

As part of the deal to draft Deshaun Watson, the Texans traded their first round pick of the 2018 NFL draft in 2017.

2018: Division Title with the Texans

In 2018, Deshaun Watson guided the Houston Texans to a division title and received Pro Bowl honors.

2019: Consecutive Division Title with the Texans

In 2019, Deshaun Watson led the Houston Texans to a consecutive division title and received Pro Bowl honors.

April 28, 2020: Texans Exercised Fifth-Year Option

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

2020: Led League in Passing Yards

Despite the team's 4-12 record, Watson finished the 2020 season with a league-leading 4,823 passing yards.

2020: Trade Request and Standoff

Following the 2020 season, Deshaun Watson requested a trade from the Texans due to dissatisfaction with front office and coaching staff changes. The Texans initially refused to negotiate trade offers, leading to a standoff. Despite off-field controversies, Watson participated in some team activities, and was named to the 53-man roster. The team's general manager stated they would handle Watson's situation gradually.

2021: Watson Ruled Out of Games

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

March 18, 2022: Trade to the Browns

On March 18, 2022, Deshaun Watson and the Texans' 2024 sixth-round draft pick were traded to the Browns. The Browns gave up first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as a 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, the largest guaranteed contract in NFL history at the time.

November 28, 2022: Reinstatement and Return to Play

On November 28, 2022, Deshaun Watson was reinstated from his suspension and added to the 53-man roster. He started against his former team, the Texans, in Week 13. In his first game in 700 days, Watson posted the worst passer rating of his NFL career at 53.4, throwing for 131 yards and one interception in the 27–14 win.

2022: Trade to the Cleveland Browns

In 2022, Deshaun Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns and signed a five-year contract worth $230 million.

2023: Browns' Draft Picks Traded to Texans

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade deal, the Browns traded first-round and third-round draft picks in 2023 to the Texans.

2024: Browns' Draft Picks Traded to Texans

As part of the March 18, 2022 trade deal, the Browns traded first-round and fourth-round draft picks in 2024 to the Texans.

2024: Season-Ending Achilles Tear

In Week 7, on October 20, 2024, during the Browns' matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Deshaun Watson suffered a non-contact leg injury, later confirmed to be an Achilles tear, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. With Watson as quarterback, the Browns went 1–6 and ranked last in the NFL with 253.9 yards of offense per game.

January 9, 2025: Achilles Surgery Re-rupture

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