via Getty
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 1: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans talks after the game on the field while surrounded by photographers to Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
via Getty
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 1: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans talks after the game on the field while surrounded by photographers to Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Tom Brady, the finest quarterback the NFL has ever witnessed, is sorely missed. But this season, Brady’s unquestioned laureate is in danger. Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, recognized by the Houston Texans as the 2017 first-round pick, is after his title. But since 2022, Watson has played religiously for the Browns, giving the team some of the best performances they have witnessed in recent years. Now he’s ready to take on the best of the best.
Watson unfortunately ended his journey for the season fighting a shoulder injury. But apparently, that’s not the only thing he is fighting for, as the title of NFL’s finest quarterback, one that currently belongs to Brady, is next.
Tom Brady vs Deshaun Watson: Who’s better?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Tom Brady, of course. Right? Well, the following stats might push you to reconsider your words. Watson has played a total of 7 seasons in the league, as compared to Brady’s iconic 22 seasons with the Patriots and Buccaneers. In these 7 seasons with two teams, though, Watson has earned stats that can be compared with the legend of NFL Tom Brady. That is an achievement on its own.
| Career Stats | Deshaun Watson | Tom Brady |
| Games played | 66 | 356 |
| Passing yards | 16756 | 96890 |
| Passing touchdowns | 118 | 708 |
| Completion percentage | 66.5% | 64.5% |
| Interceptions | 45 | 222 |
| Times Sacked | 211 | 565 |
| Quarterback Rating | 103.9 | 97.6 |
Along with the astoundingly high numbers, Watson averages 253.9 yards per game with 118 touchdowns, all while giving 45 picks. The Browns’ QB has recorded his longest career throw at 77 yards. However, being sacked 211 times, he has lost a substantial amount of yards as well.
On the other hand, Brady averaged 272.2 yards per game with 708 touchdowns and 22 picks. As compared to Watson’s 77, Brady’s longest career throw is recorded at 99 yards. Along with this, the seven-time Super Bowl winner has been sacked for 565 different times throughout his career.
Watson vs Brady: latest season
Speaking of this season, injuries have been the real enemy Deshaun Watson has faced. The 28-year-old was able to appear on the court only a few times this season, given his injuries. Whereas the two-time MVP played flawlessly for the whole of the 2022 season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
| Season stats | Deshaun Watson (2023) | Tom Brady (2022) |
| Games played | 6 | 17 |
| Passing yards | 1115 | 4694 |
| Passing touchdowns | 7 | 25 |
| Completion Percentage | 61.4% | 66.8% |
| Interceptions | 4 | 9 |
| Times sacked | 17 | 22 |
| Quarterback rating | 84.3 | 90.7 |
The longest throw Watson made this season was for 59 yards. Despite playing 6 games, Watson bagged 1,115 yds with 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and was sacked 17 times.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Brady, on the other hand, had 25 touchdowns while giving up 9 interceptions. His longest throw of the year recorded went for 63 yards as he was sacked 22 times. Even though Brady leads with his records on the table, Deshaun Watson’s stats are simply mind-boggling. So much so, that it would just take fewer injuries and a lot more seasons, to beat Brady’s record to be the next-best QB in the NFL. However, he will not be the only one in the race.
Watch this story: Coach Jim Harbaugh Sets The Record Straight On Michigan’s Sign-Stealing Incident
