HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks on from the bench late in the fourth quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
It was all good just a year ago.
The Texans were up by 24 on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, with fans salivating and rubbing their hands as they eyed a run to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance. There was ample reason for optimism about the long-term future, too -- Houston had two young superstars in quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
NFL followers know what happened next. The Chiefs did Chiefs things. Bill O’Brien did Bill O’Brien things. Then Texans limped to a 4-12 finish during the 2020 season. And now Watson seems all but destined to play for a new team next year.
We already broke down where Watson might end up next season if the Texans do indeed trade him, but how did the franchise and it's quarterback fall apart? When did things turn sour with the dynamic 25-year-old signal-caller? Let’s take a walk down memory lane.
2017: Houston Drafts Watson
No. 12 Pick 2017 NFL Draft
In the 2017 draft, there were three QBs considered first-round talents (everyone was sleeping on Taysom Hill!): Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina), Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech), and Watson (Clemson). They were drafted in that order, with Trubisky going No. 2 to Chicago, Mahomes No. 10 to Kansas City, and Watson two picks later to Houston. (The Trubisky pick looked bad then and looks worse now.)
On the heels of a phenomenal career at Clemson, Watson emerged as one of the brightest talents in the NFL. He quickly claimed the starting job (sorry, Tom Savage) and had fans buzzing as he earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
Unfortunately, however, his rookie season ended prematurely, as he tore his ACL during a November practice.
2018: The Breakout
Makes First Pro Bowl
Watson didn’t stay down for long. He was back for the opener of the ensuing season and had a strong year, throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 26 TDs (to nine INTs) and adding 551 rushing yards and five TDs on the ground.
He led Houston to the playoffs, too, but the Texans were quickly bounced by AFC South foe Indianapolis in the Wild Card round. Watson made his first Pro Bowl and was ranked No. 51 in the NFL Top 100.
It was a great season, no doubt—but Watson took an astounding 62 sacks. This has been a central theme throughout Watson’s time in Houston—the O-line just hasn’t been able to protect him.
Texans Blow Big Lead to Chiefs
Watson had another phenomenal season in 2019 and led Houston to a 10-6 record and AFC South title. In the wild-card round, he pulled off magic to lead Houston back from a 16-0 deficit to the Buffalo Bills. With the game on the line, Watson made one of the most astounding plays you’ll ever see:
Flex on ’em, young man!
But the next round brought Kansas City, and despite Watson’s excellence—388 passing yards, two TDs; 37 rushing yards, another TD—Houston blew its 24-0 second-quarter lead, falling 51-31.
After the collapse, there were rumors Texans head coach Bill O’Brien—who was also serving as GM—was on the hot seat. However, O’Brien kept his job heading into 2020.
March 2020: Hopkins Traded To Arizona
Watson Loses His Top Target
DeAndre Hopkins is one of the most gifted players in the NFL and has some of the best hands the league has ever seen. In 2019, he put up 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. Further, he attended Watson’s alma mater (Clemson), and the two Tigers quickly established a strong rapport once Deshaun got to H-town.
Defying logic, O’Brien chose to move Hopkins shortly after the loss to Kansas City. He traded the generational talent for an aging running back (David Johnson), a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick.
Immediate consensus: the Cardinals had pulled a heist on the Texans. Some even called it the worst trade of all time.
Watson was not happy.
i don't know how i’ma make it out of here clean. can’t even keep track of who plays for the other team..
iconic duos rip and split at the seams
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) March 23, 2020
Though Johnson had a decent year, Hopkins was unbelievable in 2020 (115 catches), forming a dynamic duo with Kyler Murray. You know Watson had to watch some of those Arizona games while listening to “Marvin’s Room.”
Fall 2020: Watson Gets Paid, O’Brien Out
Signed $177.5 Million Extension in September
Watson’s discontent was growing, but Houston used its leverage to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract in April. Then, in September, he signed an extension to finally get paid -- four years, $177.5 million. It was the second-biggest contract in league history, behind only Mahomes’ agreement with KC.
As the unusual 2020 season got underway, it quickly became clear this Texans team would not compete for a championship. Houston started 0-4 and O’Brien was fired, finishing with a career record of 54-52. (He’s now expected to join Alabama as its new offensive coordinator.)
Watson had easily his best season as a pro, racking up 4,823 passing yards, 33 TDs, and seven INTs. He set new franchise records in practically every statistical category.
But everyone knew his prime was being wasted. Even his teammates felt bad about it!
January 2021: Frustration Mounts
Texans Tell Watson They'll Listen To Him Then Don't
Watson has little talent surrounding him and he’s fed up—the man wants to win. He recently said his frustration level was a 2/10 after the Hopkins trade, but has elevated to a 10/10.
There are several reasons for it.
First, he wanted a changing of the guard in the front office, but owner Cal McNair publicly said Jack Easterby would hold onto his position as VP of football operations. Additionally, Watson was supposed to be involved in the team’s search for a new GM and head coach, but apparently he hasn’t gotten as much say as he wanted. McNair reportedly hired Nick Caserio as GM while interviews were still being conducted. Watson also wanted the team to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy, but that request was not granted. Finally, Watson wants the team to be more committed to social justice initiatives.
Memo to McNair: Watson is your present and future. He’s both an incredible QB and incredible young man. You might want to consider his feelings as you make huge organizational changes.
2021 Season: Who Knows?
New York? Miami? Somewhere Else?
Watson has a no-trade clause, but he’s reportedly willing to waive it for the right situation. One rumor indicated he could join Brian Flores in Miami, with Tua Tagovailoa—who underwhelmed in his first season in the league—getting moved to Houston.
On Monday, Watson liked an IG post that alluded to him joining the Jets. Sorry, Bills fans—there is growing speculation that he’ll join the AFC East. Even New England is a possibility.
But there are other teams reportedly in the mix, including Carolina. We recently reviewed five destinations that would make sense.
Where Watson will go is TBD, but it seems inevitable he is on his way out of town.
There is a growing sense from people in and around the Texans’ organization that Deshaun Watson has played his last snap for the team. It’s early in the off-season, there’s a lot of time left, but Watson’s feelings cannot and should not be underestimated.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 17, 2021
This has been a master class in how to botch your relationship with your franchise player. We are so sorry, Texans fans.