This time last year, the Houston Texans were considered by many to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Fast forward to the approaching 2024 season, and now they are being seen as a serious contender for the Super Bowl. How did this happen? Well, it seems like the Texans’ front office hit the jackpot with their hiring of DeMeco Ryans as head coach, as well as their drafting of C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., who both went on to win Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year in 2023.
But the Texans didn’t do it all on their own. They actually have the Cleveland Browns to thank for their rapid turnaround. In 2022, the Browns made a blockbuster trade with the Texans, sending over a hefty package in exchange for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Little did they know, just two years later, this trade would go down as one of the worst in NFL history.
On a recent episode of the “Ultimate Fan” podcast, Hannah McNair, the Texans’ vice president and wife of team owner Cal McNair, posed a question: “Have you thanked a Brown lately?” This was not in reference to the Texans’ dominant victory over the Browns in the Super Wild Card Weekend last year, but rather in gratitude for the Watson trade that has worked out so well for Houston.
“I thank ’em for all of our players,” McNair expressed.
CBS Sports recently revisited the Watson trade, taking a look at all the players that the Texans acquired as a result. The picks that the Browns sent over were significant, and Houston certainly made the most of them.
Since the trade, Watson has struggled in Cleveland, missing a substantial number of games due to suspension and injuries. He has also not performed up to his usual standards, ranking near the bottom in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and passer rating among quarterbacks over the past two years. In contrast, the Browns’ offense has seen a dip in productivity when Watson is under center, as opposed to their other starting quarterbacks.
Meanwhile, the Texans have taken full advantage of their new quarterback situation, selecting Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick last year. Stroud had a remarkable rookie season and is shaping up to be a star in the league for years to come. The Texans’ future looks bright, and they have the Browns to thank for it.