The Houston Texans have attracted bad luck in 2020, and as saying goes “when it rains it pours.” Turnovers come in bunches, and so does bad luck.
With three games to go and already eliminated from the playoffs thanks to their 36-7 loss to the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field, there is no incentive for Deshaun Watson to keep playing in 2020.
Finish with a winning record — can’t. If Houston wins out, they would be 7-9. They are still going to post their second losing record since selection Watson in Round 1 of 2017.
Build chemistry with his receiving corps — can’t. Will Fuller, who is already in the final year of his contract, is suspended. Randall Cobb is on injured reserve with a toe injury, though is eligible to return. Brandin Cooks missed Sunday’s game with foot and neck injuries. Watson’s top three receivers were Keke Coutee, Chad Hansen, and Steven Mitchell.
Keeping Watson on the field is a risk to his future as the Texans’ franchise quarterback. With meaningless drop back, the organization is rolling the dice on Watson’s availability in 2021, when the slate will be clean and they will have a new coach and general manager to initiate the soft rebuild.
What makes Watson great is his competitive drive, and it won’t allow him to sit, not even amid the worthlessness the final games represent to the team’s legacy.
“I’m going to play,” Watson said after the loss Sunday. “That’s my job. I’ve got to be out there every game. I’m not looking forward to throwing the book of vacation right now. We’ve got three more games. I’ve got too much pride and respect for myself and this organization and this team to go out there and just get embarrassed again or lose. My job is to go out there and play to the fullest and try to get these Ws.”
Similarly, interim coach Romeo Crennel is going to continue to play Watson as the hits he took in Chicago, part of a six-sack, 11 quarterback hit performance, are part of the game.
“This game is called football, and there are hard hits that occur in the game,” Crennel said. “When you’re at the quarterback, you’re going to take some of them.”
If Watson is going to keep playing, the quarterback has to prioritize the hits he is taking as they relate to the future of his career and other seasons when the Texans’ final record will matter.
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