One burning question for each NFL team
By John Buhler
Houston Texans: How long before Deshaun Watson starts?
This is more of a matter of when than if. At some point this fall, the Houston Texans are going to have a decision to make: do they start Tom Savage at quarterback or bring in the No. 12 overall pick Deshaun Watson? Unless Savage can prove in one offseason that he can stretch the field vertically with his arm, he will inevitably lose the starting job in Houston.
Though it has been commonplace since 2008 when Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan came into the league to start rookie quarterbacks right away, Houston may want to hold out as long as the Texans can before pulling the plug on Savage in favor of Watson. While Watson has the make of an NFL franchise quarterback, his NFL prototype as a passer isn’t exactly clear. Is he Tony Romo, Marcus Mariota or somebody else?
Houston is fortunate to play in a mediocre AFC South and boasts one of the best defenses in football. With Savage as a game manager, the Texans have the ability to win the AFC South for a third year in a row with great defense to finish around 10-6. However, they may have to burn Watson’s NFL redshirt prematurely if any of their division rivals get off to a hot start.
Once the calendar flips from September to October and the Texans are 2.5 games back of the AFC South leader, possibly the Tennessee Titans, noted quarterback whisper in Texans head coach Bill O’Brien will have to put his money where his mouth is and force Watson into battle. It would be a complete shocker if Watson doesn’t start for the Texans before Halloween.