Deshaun Watson remains one of the most financially successful figures in the NFL, despite a turbulent few years filled with injuries and controversies.
His fully guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns set a new standard for quarterback pay, securing his financial future regardless of his time on the field.
In this article, you will know Deshaun Watson’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Deshaun Watson’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derrick Deshaun Watson |
| Date of Birth | September 14, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Education | Clemson University |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 223 lbs (101 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2017 |
| Net Worth | $60 Million (Estimated) |
| Career Earnings | ~$229 Million+ |
| Wife | Jilly Anais |
| Instagram Profile | @deshaunwatson |
| Twitter Profile | @deshaunwatson |
Early Career
Deshaun Watson grew up in Gainesville, Georgia, where he quickly made a name for himself as a football prodigy at Gainesville High School. He set numerous state records, including total yards and touchdowns, which caught the attention of top college programs across the country.
His talent led him to Clemson University, where he became a true superstar. Watson guided the Tigers to back-to-back National Championship appearances against Alabama.
He narrowly lost the first one but returned the following year to lead a legendary game-winning drive, securing the 2016 National Championship title for Clemson.
His college success made him a top prospect for the 2017 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans saw his potential and traded up to select him with the 12th overall pick.
This move signaled the start of his professional journey, transitioning him from a college icon to an NFL starter.
Watson immediately showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season before an ACL injury cut it short, setting the stage for a career defined by high peaks and significant challenges.
Professional Career
Watson’s professional career has been a mix of elite performance, legal battles, and serious injuries.
After his rookie year, he bounced back to lead the Texans to consecutive division titles, earning Pro Bowl honors three times. He led the league in passing yards in 2020, solidifying his status as a top-tier quarterback.
However, his relationship with the Texans soured, leading to a trade request and him sitting out the entire 2021 season amidst off-field controversies.
The Cleveland Browns traded for him in 2022, giving him a historic fully guaranteed contract. His time in Cleveland has been rocky, starting with an 11-game suspension in 2022.
Injuries plagued his 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a shoulder injury and a devastating Achilles tear in October 2024. He re-injured his Achilles in early 2025, forcing him to miss nearly the entire 2025 season.
As of late 2025, he has just been designated to return to practice, hoping to salvage the very end of the year.
Wife
Deshaun Watson married his longtime girlfriend, Jilly Anais, on July 3, 2025. The couple held a celebration in Miami and shared photos of their diamond wedding bands on social media.
Jilly Anais is a singer, model, and social media influencer who has been with Watson since 2019.
Deshaun Watson’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Deshaun Watson’s net wort is estimated to be around $60 million, largely driven by his guaranteed NFL income.
Contract
Watson signed a historic 5-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, which was fully guaranteed at signing. This deal remains an outlier in the NFL because it ensures he receives every penny regardless of injury or performance.
The Browns have restructured this contract multiple times to manage their salary cap, converting base salary into bonuses to push money into future years.
Salary
For the 2025 season, Watson’s base salary is technically just $1.255 million due to these restructures. However, he received a massive restructuring bonus earlier in the year, meaning his actual cash intake for 2025 sits around $46 million.
This structure lowers his immediate hit against the team’s salary cap but pays him an elite wage.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Cash Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Houston Texans | ~$13,850,000 |
| 2018 | Houston Texans | ~$1,090,000 |
| 2019 | Houston Texans | ~$1,720,000 |
| 2020 | Houston Texans | ~$29,400,000 |
| 2021 | Houston Texans | $10,540,000 |
| 2022 | Cleveland Browns | $45,367,500 |
| 2023 | Cleveland Browns | $46,000,000 |
| 2024 | Cleveland Browns | $46,000,000 |
| 2025 | Cleveland Browns | ~$46,000,000 |
| Total | ~$240,000,000 |
Career Stats
| Season | Team | Games | Passing Yards | TDs | INTs | Completion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | HOU | 7 | 1,699 | 19 | 8 | 61.8% |
| 2018 | HOU | 16 | 4,165 | 26 | 9 | 68.3% |
| 2019 | HOU | 15 | 3,852 | 26 | 12 | 67.3% |
| 2020 | HOU | 16 | 4,823 | 33 | 7 | 70.2% |
| 2021 | HOU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | CLE | 6 | 1,102 | 7 | 5 | 58.2% |
| 2023 | CLE | 6 | 1,115 | 7 | 4 | 61.4% |
| 2024 | CLE | 7 | 1,148 | 5 | 3 | 63.4% |
| 2025 | CLE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
| Total | 73 | 17,904 | 123 | 48 | 66.0% |
FAQs
1. What is Deshaun Watson’s current injury status for the 2025 season?
He tore his Achilles tendon earlier in the year but recently returned to practice in December 2025. The team designated him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list, giving him a small chance to play before the season ends.
2. Who is Watson’s wife and when did they get married?
He married his longtime girlfriend, Jilly Anais, on July 3, 2025, during a ceremony in Miami. Jilly Anais works as a singer, model, and social media influencer, and she has been in a relationship with the quarterback since 2019.
3. How much money remains on Watson’s contract with the Cleveland Browns?
The quarterback signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract that runs through the 2026 season. Because the deal is fully guaranteed, the Cleveland Browns must pay him the remaining salary regardless of his injury history or performance on the field.
4. Has the quarterback played many games since joining the Cleveland Browns?
Since the trade occurred, he has played in fewer than 20 games over four seasons due to a combination of league suspensions and season-ending injuries. His availability has been significantly limited compared to his earlier years in Houston.
5. Did Deshaun Watson win a National Championship during his college career?
He led the Clemson Tigers to a National Championship victory over Alabama. During that game, he threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds, cementing his legacy as one of the best players in college football history.
