QB Deshaun Watson (9.9.26)
Identify why you might have a 7-0 record against the Jaguars, and sort of how that has transpired over the years.
“I guess a majority of it was that was one of our big rival teams, being in that same division when I played for Houston. So it was mandatory to try to get those games. They were very, very, very close, intense games, and we found ways to win. That’s pretty much all I can say about that.”
Deshaun, how much more comfortable, connected do you feel like you’ve gotten over the last couple of weeks with guys like KC (Concepcion Jr.) and Denzel (Boston)?
“Yeah, we just continue to build that trust each and every day. The more reps, the more opportunities that we get out there on the field, especially live in practice, but also in the film room, off the field, being able to communicate, talking, seeing different things. The coaches really trying to explain what I’m seeing and what he’s seeing as he runs the routes, and just trying to be in the right place at the right time so I can get the ball to them and put it in their hands so they can make plays.”
We’ve asked you along the way what it’s going to be like if you’re the starter, when you’re the starter and now we’re days away. What are those emotions that you’re feeling now and what do you think you’re going to feel on Sunday?
“I mean, that’s one thing you’ve got to control. I think I’m super excited, I’m super happy, I’m super blessed for the opportunity that this organization gave me, and I just want to be able to capitalize on it. So really right now, I’m just present in this moment, talking with you guys, getting ready for practice, and just letting the days come to me. I don’t want to rush it, and I don’t want to try to drag it on. I just kind of enjoy each moment because I know how fast it can be taken away. So, I just continue to focus on my present.”
In terms of career accomplishments, where do you rank just being able to start a game again?
“I mean, it’s definitely good. I mean I don’t know if I can rank it anywhere, but like I said before, it’s a blessing. It’s a great opportunity to have this chance this year, and I want to take full advantage of it.”
When we talked to you last week, you said you haven’t yet showcased what you can do in Todd Monken’s offense. So, what can we expect to see Sunday?
“Yeah, I guess we just have to wait and see, pretty much. I don’t want to get too much into what we’re trying to do, getting ready for the game plan. So, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Do you feel like there’s any pressure on you to get this offense going right away, given how stagnant they’ve been the last couple of years, and get it off on the right foot right away in Week 1?
“Yeah, I mean, that’s the goal is to just be able to get off and be explosive, put up points, help our defense out, and be able to capitalize and get the win. But you’ve got to be able to take what the defense gives us. This is a very, very good team. This defense is very strong. They won eight out of their last nine games last year. They were pretty much close to winning that Wild Card game against Buffalo. So, this is a really good team. You’ve got to be able to see what they’re trying to do to defend us and try to find the weaknesses in their defense so we can try to move the ball and get points.”
It’s been a while since that Buffalo game, is it out of your mind?
“Which Buffalo game?”
The preseason game.
“Oh, yeah, I mean, yeah, I’m not worried about that. We focus on now, on what we can do now. So, it’s not about what we’re worried about in the future or in the past, excuse me. We’re not worried about ’24. We’re not worried about last year, me not playing. We’re not worried about the preseason. Right now, we’ve got to focus on Jacksonville.”
How do you prepare for a team when there’s not a lot of tape to look at as far as like current tape because the preseason is so vanilla? I’m sure Jacksonville really hasn’t shown a lot. So, as a quarterback, how do you prepare this week as far as matchups and what they do defensively without having a lot of that visual evidence?
“Yeah, you just try to watch the games from last year. You try to catch a little bit of the preseason, and like you said, it’s pretty vanilla. And then you take what the coaches and the scouts and everyone that put into the data this week and try to game-plan on how we want to try to attack them. You kind of execute and master your game plan, and then you kind of have the base of what they ran last year, what they were really good at. And then on Sunday, you kind of got to react and adjust on how they’re playing differently from last year.”
Deshaun, what have you seen from the Jacksonville defense just as you’ve started to really dive into the week now?
“Very, very aggressive up front. That front four is very talented, very good. And then you have the linebacker group that is very active, instinctive, and very smart. And then you have a secondary that has some young, talented, fast instinctive players, too. So yeah, it’s a very good defense that plays sound. They understand what they want to do as a defense and what they’re trying to take away from us.”
Deshaun, so much of a quarterback being out there playing has to do with confidence. How confident do you feel in the game plan that you and Todd kind of put together with each other? How do you feel like the synergy is between you guys, and how confident are you in this game plan in general?
“It’s going well. Me and Todd, me and Trav (Travis Switzer), the whole offensive staff is just communicating what I like, what he likes, what I see, what he sees. And then we’ve got to meet in the middle, and we’ve got to be able to trust the game plan that he wants to call, and I’ve got to be able to execute that. So, each and every day is a step of building that confidence and that trust leading to Sunday, and by Saturday night, going into Sunday morning, we want to be fully confident and go out there and let loose.”
Todd’s talked a lot about just figuring out what you guys do well throughout training camp and preseason. As you get closer and closer to Week 1, what do you kind of feel the identity is for you guys on offense?
“I feel like we can be multiple. We can do a lot of different things. We have a lot of different guys that are very talented and can get the ball in their hands. So, I think we just want to be multiple and try to spread the ball.”
If you look at your timeline, Todd mentioned he’s 60 years old, he’s waited a long time to get in this position, and he’s not worried about the next job. It’s somewhat liberating he can do things the way he wants and not worry about things like that. For you, after going through everything you’ve been through physically, is there maybe something a little liberating for you as a player and just go out there and be yourself and let it all hang out there, and the results will be what the results will be, and not maybe worry about the future so much?
“Yeah, I mean, I can’t focus on the future, I’ve got to focus on now. If I try to look ahead and I get distracted on not focusing on what I need to do now, then who knows what the future might hold. So, all I can do is control these moments now, these opportunities I have now. And I want to be just like Todd Monken said. He’s 60, he feels like this is his shot. So, me being in my last year of my deal, and being year 10, I feel like this is my opportunity to get up there and go and showcase that I can still play in this league. And I want to continue to play in this league. So, this is my opportunity to do that.”
I know I’m talking about the past, but does 7-0 and never losing to that team give you any comfort?
“Nah, nah, I don’t get too comfortable, man. This is a different team. This is 2026, man. So, I’m not going into this game looking at the 7-0 record at all. This is a good Jacksonville team that we’ve got to go out there and we’ve got to earn it. So, I’m not looking at that at all.”
Do you feel excited about this game and about this particular game plan and what you’re going to be able to do on Sunday than maybe you have in a very long time, or maybe you ever have, here?
“Yeah, I’m super excited. I think I’m super excited for the opportunity. I’m super excited for the game plan and the players we have in this locker room, that we can go out there and be very explosive and put up a lot of points that the Cleveland Browns fans want to see.”
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