The story of QB Deshaun Watson is a long way from being over in the NFL but this time period will stand out as a part of the story forever. A highly talented quarterback having over 20 allegations of sexual misconduct, agreeing with his team to sit out a season and then being traded for a huge haul despite little resolution to the allegations is a “one of one” story.
In all regards, there has been nothing like it in recent NFL history.
The chapter in Watson’s book that includes playing for the Cleveland Browns could even get delayed as Judge Sue Robinson weighs his discipline fate.
Despite missing an entire season and possibly missing a chunk of the upcoming one, ESPN’s top 10 list of quarterbacks in the league (subscriber, $) includes Watson at #9:
Since 2018, Watson has the fourth-best QBR (65.3) and third-best completion percentage (68.7%) in the NFL. And he threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdown passes and a 70.2% completion percentage in 2020, the last time he played in the NFL.
Watson makes the list over Lamar Jackson, Derek Carr and Kyler Murray while being ranked one spot ahead of Dak Prescott. The list has six AFC quarterbacks including fellow AFC North signal-caller Joe Burrow in the top 10.
If Watson gets a short suspension and has the type of season he had the last time he played, the Browns quarterback could jump into the top five on many lists. For now, the uncertainty of the suspension and a player returning from this amount of time off makes it surprising that he made this list.