Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Deshaun Watson reveals feelings on C.J. Stroud's success with Texans

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/19/24

Following a messy divorce with the Houston Texans, quarterback Deshaun Watson has found a home with the Cleveland Browns. However, how does he feel watching rookie C.J. Stroud, essentially his replacement, thrive with his former team?

On Watson's podcast, "QB Unplugged," after being pressed on the subject by guest and former MVP Cam Newton, he said not only did he not feel any bitterness toward Stroud, but he practically gave him the keys to the city.

"From day one, I've always been like — right when he got drafted, 'Take over H-Town, it's your city now,'" Watson said. "I've always been that big bro, you know what I'm saying? In the distance."

Tell me how you really feel Deshaun ️ Watch Deshaun Watson, Quincy Avery, & Cam Newton discuss CJ Stroud's success + more on Episode 13 of QB Unplugged, now exclusively on Lockerverse!https://t.co/L2gTru9iJH @DeshaunWatson @QuincyAvery @CameronNewton @CJ7STROUD pic.twitter.com/jXCZoYa0O2
— Lockerverse (@Lockerverse) January 19, 2024

It's an oddly worded response from Watson, who presents Stroud taking over his old spot as if it were simply a changing of the guard. When in reality, a trade request and allegations of sexual misconduct resulting in an 11-game suspension and mandatory counseling led to his exit.

Meanwhile, Watson said, "Business is business" when describing his breakup with the Texans, which is a vast understatement.

Nevertheless, Watson's thoughts on Stroud appear genuine, even if he smiled ear-to-ear as if he were nervously trying to avoid saying the wrong thing. He revealed that the two trained together in the past while also sharing the same agent, so it's not hard to believe he's at least somewhat happy for the first-year player's emergence.

Furthermore, Watson also seemed to identify with the pressure and emotions Stroud is going through now, pointing out that he, too, won a wild-card game in Houston.

While the past and his competitive nature might have him feeling some kind of way about the Texans and Stroud, it doesn't appear malicious. After all, he made out OK in the end, signing a five-year, $230 million contract with a Browns team that was seemingly on an upward trajectory this season before he went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

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