After an acclaimed college career at Clemson, the Houston Texans drafted him 12th overall in 2017, two picks after the Kansas City Chiefs selected Patrick Mahomes.Unlike Mahomes, Watson played early in his rookie season.
Almost immediately, he looked like a phenomenon.That October, his first full month as a starter, Watson threw 16 touchdowns, setting the NFL record for touchdown passes by a rookie in a calendar month.He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month.Watson was an MVP candidate in just his first season.
Then, on Nov.2, 2017, he tore his ACL on a non-contact play during practice, ending his season.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.
If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.He returned the following year and established himself as a solid franchise quarterback.
By his fourth season as a starter, he had recaptured much of his rookie form.Despite the Texans winning just four games in 2020, Watson led the NFL in passing yards (4,823), completion percentage (70.2%), and passer rating (112.4).By the end of that season, there was a growing perception that Watson had moved past Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson as the one true rival to Mahomes, who had already won one Super Bowl and appeared in another.At the time, Watson said he envisioned himself and Mahomes as the "next Tom Brady and Peyton Manning." He was not alone.
Colin Cowherd, Michael Vick, Jason Whitlock, Stephen A.Smith, Max Kellerman, and ProFootballTalk also made the comparison.Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson heads to the sideline during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct.
20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.(Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Then his career unraveled.That offseason, 27 women filed civil lawsuits accusing Watson of sexual misconduct and assault during massage therapy appointments.
The Texans sat him ...