Jayden Daniels is taking the NFL by storm. As the young quarterback aims to make his mark this Sunday, he’ll be facing a towering shadow from the past—Deshaun Watson. A mere seven years ago, Watson was the talk of the league, casting spells on the gridiron much like Daniels is doing now.
Once Upon a Time in the NFL
Back in 2017, Watson was drafted two spots after the wizardry of Patrick Mahomes. By Week 2, he had jumped into the spotlight, mixing intense swagger with skill and racking up a balanced 3-3 record. The NFL was mesmerized; whispers of offensive rookie of the year and MVP accolades followed him like a loyal sidekick.
In his magical third start, Watson accounted for five touchdowns—four through the air and one on the ground—decimating the Titans with a score of 57-14. The following week, despite a loss to the Chiefs, his five touchdown passes sent fans into a frenzy. Even the legendary cornerback Richard Sherman, after Watson’s four-touchdown enchantment in Seattle, admitted the young pro played beyond expectations against a stout Seahawks defense—paving paths even Tom Brady hadn’t trekked. Then tragedy struck, Watson sustained a non-contact ACL injury, a twist of fate he later confessed may have taken root amid that very battle with the Seahawks.
The Rise of a New Star
Now, the NFL welcomes Jayden Daniels, the fresh face igniting the league’s imagination with each jaw-dropping play. Achieving three combined rushing and passing touchdowns this coming Sunday would set him alongside Watson and Justin Herbert, each owning the all-time record of 14 total touchdowns in their first five NFL games.
For Watson, watching this young phenom might evoke bittersweet nostalgia—a time when he was at the zenith of his powers. His last peak was in 2020; subsequent years saw him benched, navigating legal storm clouds and injury quests. In an unprecedented career first, he’s now gone four consecutive games without surpassing 200 yards passing. Yet, Watson insists, “I don’t care about the stats. I just want to win. So, none of that stuff matters.” But oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Browns are a mere 1-3, while the Commanders, with Daniels, sit confidently at 3-1.
A Deal of Regret
The Browns are prisoners to what some call the most ill-fated trade and signing blunder of the salary cap era, shackled by the immense cost of obtaining Deshaun Watson—a whopping $230 million and several high-stakes draft picks. The fanbase grows restless, curious if they can rely on aged veterans like Joe Flacco or take a punt on Jameis Winston. Meanwhile, Watson, still under the weight of his guaranteed $92 million for 2025 and 2026, remains the unwritten burden.
As Daniels prepares to write his own NFL epic, it’s a bitter twist of fate that Watson, the fallen star, must now watch from the sidelines as the rookie begins a new chapter. With each passing incompletion and stagnant yard, the Browns’ commitment to Watson becomes ever more daunting. Come Sunday, the duel between these two quarterbacks—the youthful comet and the dimming star—will leave a lasting impression on not just the scoreboard, but the soul of the NFL.
