Deshaun Watson Joins Dan Marino, Kurt Warner and Patrick Mahomes in NFL History
Throughout his first few seasons in the league, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has become one of the league’s best talents at his position. Watson has continued to produce at a historic pace that has further cemented him in the NFL record books along the way. During Week 15 action against the Tennessee Titans, he added yet another remarkable feat to his resume.
Deshaun Watson’s rise to stardom
Since being selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Watson has proven to be the real deal for the Texans.
The 24-year-old has taken progressive steps forward in his development as a quarterback while leading Houston to a great deal of success along the way with them trajected towards a second straight playoff berth. Watson has showcased that he is the franchise cornerstone that the team can build around for the long haul.
Watson has become one of the top quarterbacks in the league behind his dual-threat ability that has continued to help him rack up numerous NFL records in his brief time in the league. The Clemson product has added yet another historic mark his career has put him alongside two Hall of Famers and a former league MVP.
Deshaun Watson joins exclusive company in NFL history
At this point, it feels like with each passing week, Watson is putting himself in some rare company in NFL history.
He accomplished just that in Week 15 action against the Titans as he surpassed 70 career touchdowns in his first 36 regular-season games. That has put him alongside a pair of Hall of Famers in Dan Marino and Kurt Warner as well as Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
That wasn’t the only NFL record that Waston had racked up on Sunday afternoon as he also joined Hall of Famer Steve Young as the only players with multiple seasons with at least 25 passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. His ability to significantly impact the game with his arm and legs has been a huge reason for his success on the field.
The fact that Watson has been able to accomplish these feats in just his third season speaks to the type of game-changing talent he has become. These impressive marks also further build his case for the MVP award heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
Deshaun Watson’s MVP chances
Over the 2019 season, Watson has thrust himself in the thick of the conversation for the MVP award. Although it has become a race primarily dominated by the stellar play of Baltimore Ravens’ second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson, it shouldn’t overshadow the other candidates for the honor.
Watson is firmly in that conversation with the likes of Jackson, Russell Wilson, Christian McCaffrey, and Aaron Rodgers. It may be quite an uphill battle for him to climb past Jackson and even Wilson, but he has been putting forth a career-best campaign.
The Pro Bowler has already tallied a career-best seven rushing touchdowns, which is currently second in the league for a quarterback behind Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen. He is also on pace to notch a career-best touchdown passes that could see him surpass more than 40 total touchdowns this season, a feat that has happened only 12 times in league history.
Ultimately, Jackson looks to be in the driver’s seat to earn the prestigious award behind his impressive play and the Ravens’ overall success that has them on pace to lock in the best record in the AFC playoff picture. Beyond all that, it shouldn’t diminish Watson’s performance in the 2019 season that has further established him as one of the premier quarterbacks in the league.
