Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
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Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Deshaun Watson’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns has not gone as they had hoped when they acquired him from the Houston Texans in 2021. Watson, who is recovering from multiple Achilles tendon tears, caught a stray in Week 1 despite not playing.
In fact, Watson has played in three more games during his three seasons with the Browns (19) than he did in his final campaign with the Texans.
Moreover, when Watson has been on the field, he has struggled, making him easy fodder.
Ex-Texans Star Deshaun Watson on Wrong End of Baker Mayfield Joke
Baker Mayfield, Houston Texans
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons.
With the Texans in action against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, and Watson’s Browns facing the Cincinnati Bengals, former Cleveland QB and No. 1 overall pick (2018) Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a win over their NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons.
Mayfield did not have the most efficient performance, finishing the season-opener with a 53.1% completion rate.
He also had 3 touchdown passes, including the game-winner to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka.
“Damn shame Baker was ‘too immature’ in Cleveland,” TikTok star Joey “Sir Yacht” Kinsley” said in a post on X during the game on September 7. “In other news Deshaun Watson was on the sideline today.”
Browns Traded Baker Mayfield After Landing Deshaun Watson
Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
GettyBaker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns attending the 2016 Heisman Trophy Award ceremony.
Mayfield is 20-15 in his three seasons with the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers signed him in free agency in 2023 after stints with the Rams and Carolina Panthers.
Carolina acquired him in a trade from the Browns in 2022 after landing Watson from the Texans.
That links the two QBs in multiple ways. It also explains why fans would mention the two passers in the same breath despite their differing situations. For one, Mayfield’s 2025 cap hit is roughly $12 million less than Watson’s, per Spotrac.
That gap is on track to widen significantly. Watson’s cap hit is more than $31 million higher than Mayfield’s, putting the former Texans star’s career arc in an even less flattering light.
Texans Face Next Critical QB Quandary
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
GettyC.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans calls a play against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Texans did well to avoid a future beholden to Watson. However, they have another significant decision to make with their current QB1, C.J. Stroud. After a Pro Bowl rookie season, Stroud took a step back amid tumult around him in 2024.
He was below his self-set standard in Week 1. More importantly, the Texans dropped their first game of the 2025 regular season.
It is one game, but Stroud’s future is already a topic of discussion in the social media sphere.
The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan M. Alexander decried the offense’s lack of a touchdown in the contest and offered a response to a fan who asserted that more conversations should be had about Stroud’s ceiling.
Alexander said Stroud was the “least of the Texans problems” against the Rams, and called out another fan’s take about Stroud’s contract expectations.
The fan also said that exploring trade options should otherwise be on the table.
“I’m sorry, but this is ridiculous,” Alexander said of the trade suggestion. “You’re severely underestimating the value of a competent quarterback, and how difficult it is to find one. Teams have literally gone a decade without finding one and can’t win because of it.”
Stroud will be extension-eligible in 2026, and he is in line for a historic contract at some point, presumably with the Texans.