With New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees set to join NBC Sports once his football career is over, one can only wonder what kind of broadcast depth is on the Houston Texans roster.
Here are four Texans players who could have a future in broadcasting if that is the route they choose to go.
1. Justin Reid
Reid was articulate and showed his personality in his media sessions as far back as his rookie season. The former 2018 third-round pick from Stanford has a nice balance of breaking down the game and also conveying how football is a game of emotion. Reid would have a wealth of stories to share during broadcasts as his brother, Eric Reid, played safety for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.
Best fit: color commentator
2. J.J. Watt
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has already hosted Saturday Night Live and even appeared in a few episodes of “The League” on FX. Watt has good comedic timing and stage presence, and audiences would love to hear his breakdowns and stories from his career. Watt would be another iteration of FOX Sports’ Michael Strahan.
Best role: studio analyst
3. Whitney Mercilus
The former 2012 first-round pick from Illinois provides a good interview when he joins the “Texans Players Show” on SportsRadio 610 during the regular season. Mercilus has the ability to break down the action while also providing apt comparisons. Having another defender’s perspective in sports broadcasting is always a plus.
Best role: studio analyst
4. Deshaun Watson
Watson’s breakdown after the Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers in 2019 was what football fans everywhere craved, and it is what would make him excellent in the booth. As the Pro Bowler’s ability to diagnose plays at the line of scrimmage increases, it will help him describe action in real time for viewers, kind of like Tony Romo does for the NFL on CBS.
Best role: color commentator
