Deshaun Watson starts while DeShone Kizer is Benched
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson will face the Cleveland Browns later today. The Browns could have possibly drafted him at 12th overall, but instead they chose to trade the pick to the Texans for a first round 2018 pick.
After selecting Myles Garrett number one overall, the Browns later took Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer in the second round. He was the 52nd overall pick and the Browns fourth selection behind the aforementioned Garrett and teammates Jabril Peppers(25th) from Michigan and Miami tight end David Njoku(29th).
Former Stanford signal caller, Kevin Hogan will get the nod over Kizer today. In Sunday’s 17-14 loss to the New York Jets, Kizer was benched for Hogan. Hogan completed 16 of 19 passing attempts and threw two touchdown passes while Kizer was 8 of 17.
Although Kizer was the fourth quarterback taken in the draft, he was the only full time rookie starter. With his benching, Watson and the Chicago Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky are now the only rookie starters. Trubisky made his first start in the Bears 20-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
In five games, Kizer has 851 passing yards, three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Watson has 1,072 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Kizer has completed only 50.9 of his passes compared to Watson’s 62.1. Watson has started four of the Texans(2-3) five games and is 2-2.
With Watson playing so well, Browns head coach Hue Jackson was asked multiple times about having “regrets” or “second guesses” over not taking Watson.
“I totally get it. What did I tell you guys earlier in the week? You guys can say whatever you like. I get it. I get the second guessing, the questions and all of that. You are entitled to do all of that,” Jackson said. “DeShone Kizer is on our team. Deshaun Watson is on their team. We can’t all of a sudden flip them, so why are we having this discussion? I’m being very honest about that.”
So does Watson feel any extra motivation in facing the Browns?
“Nah. Not at all. God put me here for a reason, “he said at Wednesday’s press conference. “I’m blessed to be a Houston Texan.”
Watson’s answer was brief and that was the only question he faced about the trade. But Jackson continued to get questions at his Cleveland press conference about Watson and Kizer and eventually became noticeably annoyed.
"I appreciate that. I do. And I understand how you guys feel. But again, to me, to go down that road and talk about this, that, and what should’ve been, what could’ve been. That doesn’t do anything for anybody."
Fans of both teams were probably looking forward to seeing the two rookie quarterbacks dual it out today. But unless, Hogan is ineffective or injured, Kizer will watch from the sidelines in Houston.
As for now, fans will have to wait until next season or watch the 2015 Clemson Tigers 24-22 win over Notre Dame to see Deshaun[Dae-shawn] and DeShone[De-shown] battle on the field.