Sometimes, superstars are perturbed that they were passed over in the NFL Draft. Just ask Randy Moss, who never let the Dallas Cowboys forget they passed him over in 1998.
When the Houston Texans take on the Chicago Bears Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at Soldier Field, quarterback Deshaun Watson will take on another team that needed a quarterback in 2017 but chose to take someone else.
With the second overall pick, the Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky from North Carolina. At No. 12, the Texans selected Watson.
Don’t count on the two-time Pro Bowler making a big deal out of this fact leading into Week 14’s matchup.
“Nah, it’s no motivation,” Watson said. “That’s what the organization went with. I have no ties, nothing against the Chicago Bears or the organization.”
Though Chicago fans and even the sports media may make something of the fact Houston got Watson while the Bears passed over, Watson is focused on leading his 4-8 club to a win after a heartbreaking loss to the Colts at NRG Stadium.
“They did what they did and just keep pushing forward,” said Watson. “They thought that was the best situation for themselves at that time. For me, it’s no motivation. I respect and have all the respect for those players and coaches and ownership at the Chicago Bears.”
According to Watson, the Bears were just another team in the pack that didn’t really separate themselves from the other 32 to show more than nominal interest.
Said Watson: “All 32 teams were at the [Clemson] Pro Day so it was like a blur, honestly, from what I remember. That was pretty much it. I don’t really remember any, too much interaction with those guys. Maybe a little bit at the [NFL Scouting Combine] in Indianapolis, but nothing too crazy.”
Watson has compiled a 28-21 record with the Texans since 2017, leading the club to a playoff win the AFC wild-card last postseason.