Few players in the NFL have faced more doubt over the last few years than Deshaun Watson. His time in Cleveland had been defined by injuries, missed games and an offense that rarely looked like the one he ran in Houston. Many assumed his best days as a passer were behind him. Sunday’s win over his former team added to a growing body of evidence that the narrative might need updating.
PFF shared a stat that shows just how much Watson’s production has changed recently.
“Deshaun Watson 300-yard passing games.
2022-2025: 0
His last 3 starts: 3″
Deshaun Watson 300-yard passing games
2022-2025 0
His last 3 starts 3 pic.twitter.com/ckflMTRQGa— PFF (@PFF) November 15, 2026
The context makes the stretch even more impressive. Watson missed most of 2022 due to a suspension and much of the following seasons to a shoulder injury and a torn Achilles. When he did play, the passing game never fully clicked. This season, in Todd Monken’s offense and with a new group of weapons, it finally has.
Those weapons are a big part of the story. Harold Fannin Jr. led the Browns with 7 catches for 91 yards on Sunday, and Jerry Jeudy added 74 yards on 2 catches, including a 65-yard grab. Rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion rank 1st and 2nd among all rookies in receiving yards, the first teammates to do that since 1945. Watson has more ways to attack defenses than at any point in his Browns tenure.
The yardage has also come with his trademark late-game magic. Watson led his NFL-leading 6th game-winning drive on Sunday, rallying the Browns from a 17-0 deficit. He finished 25 of 40 for 312 yards and added 49 rushing yards and a touchdown.
There are still areas to clean up. Watson threw an interception against Houston, was sacked 4 times and did not throw a touchdown pass. Before Sunday, he ranked 28th in QBR, and the offense has often struggled to get going early.
Still, the trend is hard to ignore, especially in the final year of his contract. A week ago, the conversation in Cleveland was about whether Shedeur Sanders should take his job. Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Watson was the entrenched starter, and Watson followed that with a comeback win and another 300-yard game.
The Browns are 6-4, and their quarterback is playing his best football in years. If this stretch continues, the debate about Watson’s future in Cleveland could look very different by January.
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