The Houston Texans are fortunate to have found a solution under center in the form of Deshaun Watson.
The former 2017 first-round quarterback from Clemson led the Texans to a 10-6 record and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. It is also no coincidence that these accolades are concurrent with Houston’s two consecutive AFC South titles.
For coach Bill O’Brien, Watson, though playing at a high level and considered one of the star quarterbacks of the future, has nowhere to go but up.
“There’s no substitute for experience,” O’Brien told reporters Monday. “With all the experiences that he’s had early in his career here, plus his work ethic, plus his talent, all those different things, plus who he is as a man, he’s going to just keep getting better.”
Watson threw for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions along with collecting 413 yards and seven touchdowns on 82 carries. He did finish with a 98.0 passer rating, down from 103.1 a year ago, but the sacks fell from 62 to 44 in 2019.
Some of that is the offensive line, and some of that is due to Watson developing a better feel in the pocket.
“Deshaun Watson has gotten better every day, every year, every minute that he’s here,” said O’Brien. “We’re better because of Deshaun Watson. Deshaun Watson works very hard. He’s a student of the game, he loves the game, he’s the ultimate competitor. He just does a great job, and so because of his work ethic, because of the type of person that he is, he will continue to get better.”
The Texans enter the offseason having finished the year 10-6, winning the AFC South, collecting a wild-card playoff win over the Buffalo Bills, but falling short 51-31 at the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional playoffs. If Watson gets better in his fourth season, then so too will the Texans.