When the Browns swung a trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson back in 2022, they believed they had landed the franchise quarterback that had eluded them for the last two decades. While the franchise continues to wait for the full returns on their investment from Watson, their trade partner, Houston has already found a worthy successor.
Ohio State product C.J. Stroud took the NFL by storm this year in his rookie season. The second overall pick compiled 4,108 yards – the third most by a rookie in NFL history – 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He led the league in touchdown to interception ratio to boot.
Just last week, Stroud shredded Watson’s new team, to the beat of 274 yards and three touchdowns to earn a 45-14 win the the NFL’s Wild Card round of the playoffs. Watson was on the Browns sideline to see it all in person. But did seeing a new, young phenom claim the thrown he once had leave a bad taste in Watson’s mouth?
On the QB Unplugged podcast, hosted by Watson’s quarterback coach Quincy Avery, former Panthers’ QB Cam Newton made an appearance to ask the 28-year-old signal how he felt about the situation in Houston.
“Honestly, nah, it don’t” Watson said regarding whether or not it bothered him.
After Newton added that the humanistic side can sometimes take over, Watson continued, “Nah, I ain’t even that type of dude. I ain’t even that type of dude to sit there and have any type of hate, cause I’ve been there, you know what I’m saying? I won a wild card game.
“It didn’t go our way. Business is business and we parted ways. But for me to see C.J. and how you was with me – we trained together, I came up – C.J. was the same way. In California when me and Q (Quincy Avery) was out there, he was right there with us. We got the same agent.”
Watson seems to have no ill-will toward the rookie QB whatsoever, even embracing what he called a “big brother role” with him. Despite the fact that Stroud took down Watson’s Browns, he’s seems to be a fan of his work.
“From day one, I’ve always been like – right when he got drafted – take over H-town, it’s your city now, anything you need, you got it.”
He began the 2023 season looking to hit the ground running but it never materialized after multiple shoulder injuries, including a glenoid fracture in his throwing shoulder that forced him to finish the campaign on the IR. In 12 starts, Watson has completed just 59-percent of his passes for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions in two years with the Browns.
Earlier on in the episode of QB Unplugged, Avery vowed that Watson was going to come back better next season and that the shoulder is “getting right.” Watson added that he’s “hearing everything and seeing everything,” but he’s “working.”
At his end of the season press conference, head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed confidence that Watson will be ready for spring practices.
