Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has candidly expressed his disappointment and frustration over the team’s recent Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. The quarterback, who has been recovering from shoulder surgery since mid-November, broke his silence during his “QB Unplugged” series with Quincy Avery, shedding light on the missed opportunity and the factors that contributed to the team’s defeat.
Reflecting on the game, Watson acknowledged the challenging environment of playing against the Texans, having been on the opposite side before. Despite the initial closeness of the match, the Browns ultimately faltered, allowing the Texans to score the final 35 points of the game and dismantle the reputed top defense in the NFL. Watson pinpointed issues across all three phases of the game, emphasizing the Browns’ failure to control the game.
A significant factor in the Browns’ struggles has been the multitude of injuries suffered throughout the season by key players. Watson highlighted the absence of crucial figures such as Nick Chubb, Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills, Dawand Jones, Maurice Hurst, Jakeem Grant, Grant Delpit, and Anthony Walker Jr., among others. Despite the impact of injuries on the team’s performance, Watson emphasized that it shouldn’t be used as an excuse. He noted that some players on the field were not at their full potential due to injuries, but insisted that everyone on the field must produce results, and making excuses is not an option.
Despite the disappointment, Watson praised Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, whom he embraced at midfield after the game. Stroud delivered an impressive performance with 274 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and a nearly perfect passer rating against the Browns. Watson, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Texans before the blockbuster trade to Cleveland, displayed no signs of envy towards his successor. He emphasized that he is not the type of person to harbor hate, highlighting their shared offseason training sessions and his encouragement for Stroud to take over Houston.
Watson also acknowledged the business aspect of the NFL, emphasizing that parting ways with the Texans was a result of business decisions. Despite the challenges and the disappointment of the recent loss, Watson maintained a positive and supportive stance towards Stroud, referring to himself as a “big bro in the distance.”
In contemplating the outcome, Watson admitted that things might have been different if he were on the field. However, due to his injury, he expressed a supportive message to Stroud, urging him to do his best in his absence. The Browns anticipate Watson’s return for the upcoming training camp, where he is expected to resume his role as the starting quarterback. The team hopes that Watson will overcome his injury woes, contributing to a more successful future for the Cleveland Browns.
