Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien doesn’t want to speak for Deshaun Watson, but it is safe to say the Pro Bowl quarterback is excited about the Houston Texans’ offense.
O’Brien met with the Houston media on a conference call Thursday to discuss the club’s offseason moves, and he laid out four reasons why Watson would be excited.
1. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly
With Kelly now the official play-caller for the Texans’ offense, Watson can continue to build on his cohesion with the second-year offensive coordinator.
Kelly will also have a new role as quarterbacks coach. Carl Smith, who was last season’s quarterbacks coach, is still on the staff as an offensive assistant.
2. The quarterback room
The Texans brought back quarterback A.J. McCarron to be the backup to Watson. More than just a backup, McCarron brings a coach-level approach to the quarterback room that helps facilitate the offense.
O’Brien also mentioned that former Houston quarterback T.J. Yates, who was an offensive assistant last season, will be working in the quarterbacks room as well. The position group boasts experience with McCarron and Yates and talent with Watson as the starter.
3. The return of familiar faces
DeAndre Hopkins is with the Arizona Cardinals, but Watson has receivers still on the roster that he has chemistry with. The most notable wideout is Will Fuller, though Kenny Stills developed cohesion throughout the course of the season.
Keke Coutee, DeAndre Carter, and Steven Mitchell are also still on the roster.
4. New teammates
The Texans endeavored to add a variety of weapons for Watson, which included signing former Pro Bowler Randall Cobb and trading with the Los Angeles Rams for Brandin Cooks.
Hopkins was magnificent at filling all the receiver spots in the offense when called upon. Now, those skills have been divided with Cobb the slot receiver and Cooks adding another dimension of speed.
“To me it’s just all about when we get back together and try to hit the ground running and be a productive offense,” O’Brien said. “I feel really good about where we are offensively.”
