The Houston Texans’ season is over. After finishing 10-6, they found themselves in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, only to lose a 24-0 lead to the Kansas City Chiefs, who moved on by winning in 51-31 fashion.
With the season now over for the Texans, let’s take a gander at the quarterback position group.
The Texans’ quarterback room is led by third-year quarterback Deshaun Watson. That should stay for a long time, as the 24-year-old is Houston’s franchise quarterback. The Texans will likely extend him with a gaudy contract in the offseason.
“We want him to be a Houston Texan for the rest of his career,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Watson on Jan. 13. “We obviously want Deshaun Watson here for a long time.”
In 2019, Watson went to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his three-year career. Despite missing a game (for rest in a meaningless contest), he finished second in the NFL in totals touchdowns with 34, passing for 26, rushing for seven and receiving another.
Watson threw for 3,852 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on a 67.3% completion rate in 2019, good for a 98 passer rating. If he can cut down on his interceptions and learn how to take fewer sacks (44), he will be an MVP candidate for years to come.
Six-year veteran A.J. McCarron acted as Watson’s backup for the entirety of the season. He started one contest, a meaningless season finale against the Tennessee Titans. In doing so, he passed for 225 yards and an interception while completing 21 of his 36 attempts.
Unless extended, McCarron will be a free agent in March.
2018 seventh-round pick Alex McGough bounced between the active roster and practice squad for most of the season. He did not take a snap. His addition to the roster came after third-stringer Joe Webb suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason.
The Texans’ quarterback position will be led by Watson in 2020. It is a bright spot for the team and has been since his arrival out of Clemson in the 2017 NFL Draft.
