### The Rise of Jayden Daniels: A Stark Contrast to Deshaun Watson's Decline

As Sunday approaches, football fans are eagerly anticipating the match-up between two quarterbacks—one on the rise and the other struggling to reclaim former glory. Jayden Daniels is making waves this season with performances reminiscent of Deshaun Watson's early impact on the NFL seven years ago.

Back in 2017, Deshaun Watson was a sensation shortly after being drafted two picks behind Patrick Mahomes. By Week 2 of his rookie year, Watson had already begun to capture the league's attention, despite a modest 3-3 record. He quickly became a strong contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year and was even generating MVP discussions. His third start saw him account for five touchdowns in a remarkable 57-14 victory over the Titans, followed by another five-touchdown game against the Chiefs. Notably, after a four-touchdown performance against the Seahawks, Richard Sherman praised Watson's exceptional play, comparing him favorably to Tom Brady.

However, Watson's promising trajectory took a severe hit when he suffered a non-contact ACL tear days after the Seattle game. He later revealed that he believed the injury had occurred during that very game. After a stellar peak in 2020, Watson's career has been marred by legal troubles and injuries. He sat out the 2021 season amidst trade attempts and over 20 lawsuits, missed 11 games in 2022 and another 11 in 2023 due to injury. This season, for the first time in his career, Watson is struggling, having failed to achieve 200 passing yards in four consecutive games.

Conversely, Jayden Daniels is quickly establishing himself as a new force in the NFL. With three combined rushing and passing touchdowns against the Browns, Daniels will tie Watson and Justin Herbert for the most total touchdowns (14) in a quarterback's first five NFL games. Daniels' current success starkly contrasts with Watson's ongoing challenges, as the Browns have limped to a 1-3 record while the Commanders, led by Daniels, boast a commendable 3-1 record.

Watson has recently told reporters that he isn't concerned about his statistics, emphasizing his focus on winning. However, the Browns' lackluster performance and the substantial investment they made to acquire Watson—including $230 million in guaranteed salary, three first-round picks, and three additional draft selections—paint a different picture. The team's poor start fuels regret over what might be the most disastrous trade-and-sign of the salary cap era.

This Sunday’s game encapsulates the diverging paths of these two quarterbacks. While Daniels continues to build his burgeoning career, Watson must grapple with a sobering reality. Each week he fails to replicate his 2020 form intensifies the scrutiny and disappointment surrounding his tenure with the Browns. As both teams take to the field, the contrast between the rising star and the fallen star will be unmistakably clear.