The Houston Texans wasted an opportunity in 2020.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson was healthy and completed all 16 games, despite a few “funny bone” scares in Weeks 14 and 16. The reality is he never spent time on the injury report; there was no cause for concern for Watson’s availability.
The Texans signed Watson to a four-year, $177.5 million contract in August, and the former 2017 first-round pick rewarded the franchise by setting the team’s single-season passing yards mark (4,823) and passing touchdowns (33).
Defensive end J.J. Watt also played a complete 16 games, a rarity since 2016, having only done so twice. One would think that the 25-year-old Watson would be telling Watt, 31, that he was sorry the team didn’t compete for a title. Instead, it was Watt who was remorseful for the missed opportunity with a franchise quarterback.
“I’m sorry,” Watt said after the game in a video picked up by NFL Films. “I’m sorry. We wasted one of your years. I’m sorry. I mean, we should have 11 wins. We should.”
"I'm sorry, we wasted one of your years."
Watt to Watson after a tough season. pic.twitter.com/mcTVK3ZeJG
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 5, 2021
The Texans are committed to Watson. With no guaranteed money left on Watt’s contract, the club doesn’t have the same level of commitment. It may be that Watt’s last year with Houston was wasted, as Watson is signed with the Texans through the 2025 season.