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. He gained prominence during his college career with the Clemson Tigers, where he led the team to a national championship in 2016. Subsequently, he 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

2006: Home Donated by Warrick Dunn

In 2006, when Deshaun Watson was 11, 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

In the fall of 2010, Deshaun Watson began attending Gainesville High School and playing for the school's football team, the Red Elephants, and became the first-ever freshman starting quarterback.

2011: Clemson's First ACC Championship Since 2011

In 2015, Watson led the Tigers to a 45–37 win against North Carolina, marking Clemson's first ACC championship since 2011. Watson was also named the ACC Championship Game MVP.

February 1, 2012: Commits to Clemson University

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

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 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 against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl, one of the College Football Playoff semifinal games, earning game MVP honors.

2016: Led Clemson to National Championship

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

2016: College Football Playoff National Championship

In 2016, Deshaun Watson threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 73 yards in the College Football Playoff National Championship game against Alabama, though Clemson lost 45-40. He set the record for most total yards in a national championship game history.

May 12, 2017: Signed Contract with Texans

On May 12, 2017, the Houston Texans signed Deshaun Watson to a four-year, $13.84 million contract featuring an $8.21 million signing bonus.

September 10, 2017: First Regular-Season Appearance

On September 10, 2017, Deshaun Watson made his first regular-season appearance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing his first NFL touchdown, a four-yard pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

2017: Clemson Wins National Championship

In 2017, Clemson defeated No. 1 Alabama 35–31 in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The win marked Clemson's second national championship, ending a three-decade national-championship drought. Watson was named the game's offensive MVP.

2017: Donation to NRG Stadium Employees

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 Houston Texans

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

2018: Texans Traded First Round Pick

In 2017, the Houston Texans acquired the pick to draft Watson 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: Guided Texans to Division Title

In 2018, Deshaun Watson guided the Houston Texans to a division title.

2019: Guided Texans to Division Title

In 2019, Deshaun Watson led the Houston Texans to a consecutive division title.

April 28, 2020: Texans Exercised Fifth-Year Option

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

2020: Led League in Passing Yards

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

2020: Trade Request and Texans' Standoff

In 2020, Deshaun Watson requested a trade from the Texans due to dissatisfaction with front office and coaching staff changes. The Texans were unwilling to negotiate, leading to a standoff complicated by emerging sexual harassment allegations. Watson attended OTA activities and training camp on a limited basis and was named to the 53-man roster. General Manager Nick Caserio addressed the situation by stating he would handle it "one day at a time."

March 18, 2022: Watson Traded to the Browns

On March 18, 2022, Deshaun Watson and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick were traded from the Texans to the Browns. In return, the Browns gave up their first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as their third-round pick in 2023 and fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024. As part of the trade, Watson signed a new, fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns.

November 28, 2022: Watson Reinstated and Returns 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, posting the worst passer rating of his NFL career at 53.4. He finished the 2022 season with a 3-3 record, 1,102 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The Browns finished with a 7-10 record, and Watson's season passer rating was 79.1.

2022: Traded to the Cleveland Browns

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

2023: Draft Picks Traded

In 2023, as part of the Deshaun Watson trade to the Browns, the Texans received the Browns' first-round and third-round draft picks.

2024: Expected Full Recovery

Deshaun Watson underwent surgery on November 21, 2023, with the expectation of being fully recovered before the 2024 NFL season.

2024: Season-Ending Injury

During the Browns' Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 20, 2023, Deshaun Watson suffered a non-contact leg injury, later confirmed as an Achilles tear, which forced him to miss the remainder of the 2023 season. With Watson as quarterback, the Browns had a 1-6 record. He underwent Achilles surgery on October 25, 2023.

2024: Draft Picks Traded

In 2024, as part of the Deshaun Watson trade to the Browns, the Texans received the Browns' first-round, fourth-round, and sixth-round draft picks.

January 9, 2025: Achilles Re-Rupture and Surgery

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