The future of Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns remains uncertain, yet one aspect of his personal life appears more defined.
Recently, Watson and his longtime partner, Jilly Anais, revealed their engagement through a mutual Instagram post. The announcement was captioned “Mrs. Watson loading …” alongside an image showcasing Anais wearing a prominent diamond ring as Watson affectionately embraces her.
Adding to the post, Watson left a comment saying, “MORE GLORY,” accompanied by a prayer emoji.
Both Watson and Anais, aged 29, embarked on their relationship journey in 2019 after meeting in Los Angeles. Anais, possessing a social media following nearing 2.5 million, is noted for her work as a singer, actress, and cookbook author.
Their relationship endured through challenging times marked by allegations from over 20 women who accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions in Houston. While playing for the Texans, two grand juries opted not to indict Watson, and he has since reached settlements in all but one civil lawsuit.
Despite these controversies, Watson faced consequences from the NFL, including an 11-game suspension in the 2022 season following his trade to the Browns from the Texans, along with a $5 million fine for breaching the league’s personal conduct guidelines.
Further concerns loom over Watson’s playing career as a second rupture of his right Achilles tendon in January might sideline him for the entirety of the 2025 season. The initial injury occurred during a match against the Bengals on October 20, 2024.
In response, the Browns adjusted his contract twice over a three-month span to improve their financial strategy. The team holds insurance to safeguard the contract, with potential cap relief from the NFL if Watson is rendered unavailable for the season.
Watson has participated in a mere 19 games since joining the Browns with a substantial fully guaranteed contract of $230 million. This includes starting six games in 2023 before a shoulder injury ended his season, followed by seven starts last year prior to the Achilles injury.
As the Browns concluded 2024 with a 3-14 record, they positioned themselves to make significant moves by securing the second pick in the upcoming NFL draft in April. Their draft preparations included welcoming prospects like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.
Additionally, the Browns strengthened their roster by trading for Kenny Pickett from Philadelphia at the beginning of free agency and held discussions with free agent Russell Wilson, who visited last Thursday.
