The national narrative surrounding the Houston Texans is Deshaun Watson is a franchise quarterback, one of the top-10 best in the league at his position, and Bill O’Brien is a mediocre coach who is holding him back.
That impression is not the reality Watson has seen on a daily basis since the Texans selected the Clemson Tiger in Round 1 of the 2017 NFL Draft.
“I feel like I don’t think that people understand the work ethic that he puts in, the time that he puts in to watch film and try to make sure this organization is at the top of its game,” Watson said. “He’s probably the hardest worker in this building, in this organization. He’s not going to stop until he’s a champion. That’s what I like about him.”
There were rumors initially after the trading of three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, also from Clemson and great friends with Watson, that the quarterback would passively seek an exit from the Texans due to O’Brien’s increasing front office influence.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Watson has seen his coach grow each season that he has been with the organization.
“Change-wise, I feel like he’s more relaxed in different situations, in the situations as far as like competing or putting me as a quarterback in different situations in the heat of the moment during practice or during the week so I’m ready for those game-like pressure situations and being able to communicate not just with the quarterback but with all the players and all the coaching staff,” Watson explained.
O’Brien has taken a unique approach to the 2020 season, choosing to fortify the roster with veterans and limiting the contributions of youngsters and rookies, only because of the disjointed entry into pro football the lack of offseason program brings. Texans fans are hopeful that O’Brien’s hard work behind the scenes manifests, at a minimum, into the franchise’s first ever AFC Championship Game appearance.