USA TODAY Sports
For the first time since early January 2021, quarterback Deshaun Watson played Friday Night Football. On three drives, he completed one of five passes for seven yards.
Coach Kevin Stefanski evaluated the performance in a press conference after the game.
“I think he probably wants a little bit of payback,” Stefanski said. “Obviously playing football for the first time in a while, I thought it was important to go out there with his teammates in that scheme, just hearing a different voice in the helmet, things like that. I’m sure he had the butterflies and the jitters early on. But I think he understands that he has work to do.
Stefanski said he doesn’t believe the drama surrounding Watson’s off-field issue is affecting his performance. Stefanski also downplayed the idea that not playing other starters was a factor.
“They had a bunch of players who didn’t play as well,” Stefanski said. “So I don’t look into it too much. It’s just… you know, it’s our first game there. And I think you can tell. You know, I think Jacksonville had one game. So for us, just to knock the rust off a little bit and then get back to work.”
Stefanksi remained appropriately even irritated about the Watson situation.
“I think that was important for him to go out there in a game environment, under the lights, with new teammates and go operate,” Stefanski said. “It wasn’t going to be perfect. And even if it was perfect, you can’t overreact to it. So I just think it was all part of the progression for him.
As for Watson’s surprise pre-match apology, Stefanski seemed to welcome it.
“I’ve been around DeShawn for a few months now and I know he wants to grow,” Stefanski said. “I know he does. And that’s personal; it’s professional. And I think he’s very, very serious about doing that. And I think that’s part of the next step for him.
It’s a step that comes much later than it should, to be honest. So much could have been avoided if Watson had admitted his behavior and made genuine reparations when the allegations were first made. If there were people around him who had spoken the truth instead of circling the wagons, maybe that would have happened.
The payback always comes. The question is whether it is embraced or resisted. The longer it resists, the worse it ends up being.
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