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Deshaun Watson of the Browns Reacted to C.J. Stroud’s emergence as the Texans’ new star?
Deshaun Watson offered his opinions on C.J. Stroud, the rookie quarterback who, in just one season, has taken over the starting quarterback position he previously held with the Houston Texans.
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Kevin Stefanski Considers the Season of 2023
Deshaun Watson of the Browns Reacted to C.J. Stroud’s emergence as the Texans’ new star?
Deshaun Watson offered his opinions on C.J. Stroud, the rookie quarterback who, in just one season, has taken over the starting quarterback position he previously held with the Houston Texans.
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The Browns thought they had found the franchise quarterback that had eluded them for the previous 20 years when they pulled off a trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson back in 2022. The team is still waiting on Watson to fully reimburse them for their investment, but their trade
Only last week, Stroud crushed Watson’s new team, scoring three touchdowns and 274 yards to secure a 45-14 victory in the NFL Wild Card round of the playoffs. Watson seen everything firsthand while watching the Browns play. But did it leave Watson with a bitter taste in his mouth to watch a new, young phenom claim the thrown he once had?
Former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton spoke on the QB Unplugged podcast, which is hosted by Quincy Avery, Watson’s quarterback coach, to inquire about the 28-year-old signal-caller’s thoughts on the circumstances in Houston.
When asked if it worried him, Watson responded, “Honestly, nah, it don’t”.
“Nah, I ain’t even that type of dude,” Watson said in response to Newton’s observation that the humanistic side can occasionally overpower. You know what I mean? I’ve been there, so I’m not even the kind of guy to sit there and harbor hate. A wild card game I won
It didn’t work out for us. We broke up as business is business. However, seeing C.J. and how you treated me—we trained together, I grew up—made me realize that C.J. was the same way. He was right there with me and Quincy Avery in California while we were out there. The agent we were assigned is the same.”
Watson even welcomed what he called a “big brother role” with the rookie quarterback, suggesting that he harbors no ill will toward him. Stroud appears to be an admirer of Watson’s work even if he defeated Watson’s Browns.
“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.”
Watson was dealt to the Browns in 2022 after playing his first four years of football in Houston. With 4,823 yards passed in his final season there, he was the league leader in passing. Following an 11-game ban in his rookie season for off-field behavior related to over 20 allegations of sexual assault against him, the Clemson product saw action in just six games for Cleveland.
He had high expectations going into the 2023 season, but those were dashed by a string of shoulder ailments, including a glenoid fracture in his throwing shoulder that required him to spend the entire season on injured reserve. With just 59% of his passes completed for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 starts, Watson
Avery promised earlier in the QB Unplugged episode that Watson would return stronger the following season and that his shoulder was “getting right.” “Hearing everything and seeing everything,” Watson continued, but he’s “working.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski stated during his news conference at the end of the season that he is certain Watson would be prepared for spring practices.
