Deshaun Watson hopes he and Mahomes can be the next Brady and Manning

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Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes have known each other since they were teenagers, they entered the NFL together and were both first-round picks in 2017, and they were Pro Bowl teammates on Sunday. Watson hopes he and Mahomes have a long future as friendly rivals.

Watson said on PFT Live that he’d like to picture himself and Mahomes playing as many great games against each other as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady did through the years.

“We’ve been boys since coming out of high school, we’ve trained together all through college,” Watson said. “It’s something we’ve talked about for a long, long time and now we have an opportunity to do it. I’m looking forward to all the big games. Of course we’re both in the AFC so hopefully we get that Peyton and Tom Brady type of match each and every year.”

The Texans and Chiefs didn’t play in the 2018 season, but they do play in 2019, and they may play each other many times, both in the regular season and the postseason, for years to come. Watson and Mahomes may have the league’s next great quarterback rivalry.

112 responses to “Deshaun Watson hopes he and Mahomes can be the next Brady and Manning

  1. Not impossible, transcendent talents. But better to play it, not say it. I don’t recall either Manning or Brady making up grandiose statements about themselves two years in.

  2. Mahomes and Watson will end their careers being like Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, and I don’t have to tell you which one will be which.

  3. Mahomes – strong possibility. Deshaun Watson – low chance.

    Deshaun Watson’s Houston Texans were down 21-0 in the third quarter in the playoffs. Deshaun had a pedestrian 10 yard run which ended in him being pushed out of bounds on the Colts sideline. While down 21-0 with the offense barely doing a thing all game, Deshaun decides to show put and do some pathetic, showboating first down pointing celebration directed towards the Colts sideline in which he was standing on. WHILE DOWN 21-0. He will never be Manning or Brady because clearly he cares too much of about his cool first down pose.

  4. Mahomes reminds me more of Joe Montana. Go look at Montana’s early games. He use to run a lot. Its a different era, but the same lots of motion out of the pocket and the same remarkable accuracy.

  5. It’s not that far fetched. They’re both young, very talented, and proven winners. I can see it, and I’m an Eagles fan. They need to get a defense in KC though.

  6. Thinking he’s still got plenty of work to do on being Deshaun Watson before he can compare himself to Brady or Manning .

  7. Aaaaaaaaand there she is …… TruthfulDolphinsFanNotWearingBlinders giving her lame ass opinion on subjects you know zero about – kinda like Miami ……. it’s a scripted sports entertainment product
    Stay in your lane bud….

  8. Mahomes maybe but Watson, no chance. Watson will be a nice player like Philip Rivers but not an alltimer like Brady or Manning. Mahomes could be an all timer if he continues to put in the time and stay humble. Or he could turn into Cam Newton who won the MVP then thought he was the greatest and stopped working as hard

  9. When you’ve won nothing you can’t compare yourself with two of the greats. Absolute arrogance.

  10. I love it. Both players are talented enough to be there one day. As a football fan, I hope this comes to fruition.

    However, I do have some concerns:

    1. Deshaun Watson will be lucky to make it 5 more years with the amount of sacks he is taking.

    2. There will be more Mannings but another Tom Brady is unlikely. You will not only have to play at an elite level but you will also need a coach like BB and an owner like the Kraft family to truly achieve Tom Brady’s level.

  11. dougchillin says:
    January 29, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Mahomes – strong possibility. Deshaun Watson – low chance.

    Deshaun Watson’s Houston Texans were down 21-0 in the third quarter in the playoffs. Deshaun had a pedestrian 10 yard run which ended in him being pushed out of bounds on the Colts sideline. While down 21-0 with the offense barely doing a thing all game, Deshaun decides to show put and do some pathetic, showboating first down pointing celebration directed towards the Colts sideline in which he was standing on. WHILE DOWN 21-0. He will never be Manning or Brady because clearly he cares too much of about his cool first down pose.

    ———————————–

    This guy could have cited stats, but instead cited the old man inside him.

    I don’t want my players celebrating first downs when losing (Especially when historically losing… See Roy Williams on the 2008 Lions). But I’m not going to consider a guy a bad player for being excited when making a play. Travis Kelce dances after every catch, and even when he blocks guys, but I don’t think that makes him any less than a top 2 TE in the league (It’s between him and Ertz for sure).

  12. Watson, Wentz, Rodgers and Luck all looking to be more healthy next year and so many great QBs already coming back it should be a great year in 2019.

  13. Let’s look at this in another 5-7 years….. then we can all start forming our opinions on who compares to who……
    Last time I checked, Brady is still playing…. yup HE’S STILL HERE!!!
    Go Pats!!!!!

  14. To make a statement that you are hoping that someday you will be like someone is lame.

    Be your own man…. create your own legacy and let it not be compared but admired.

    Then you will have truly won…. What Mr. Brady and Mr. Manning have won…. True respect.

  15. tomthebombtracy says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:06 am

    RG3 and Tim Tebow. To run is to be done.
    ———————–

    Mahomes doesn’t run, but nice try.

  16. Just one question?

    A new QB does well; why does everyone anoint them as the second coming of Christ? Let them prove themselves first, which takes more than 1 or 2 seasons. It’s taken Brady 18 seasons to be in a class all his own.

  17. Mahomes is already there. Right now, there are no younger quarterbacks who are anywhere near close to a peer level with him. Maybe Mayfield gets there

  18. Nowhere in this quote did Deshaun compare himself or Mahomes to Brady or Manning in terms of skill or talent. All he said was that they are in the same conference and hopes they end up playing each other almost every year, the way Brady and Manning did. A completely innocent comment. No need to roast Deshaun for this (as I have seen in several comments).

  19. I thought Tom Brady was just a system QB? Duh just run the system that he’s in.

    Oh you already tried that and it didn’t work?

  20. TruthfulDolphinsFanNotWearingBlinders says:
    January 29, 2019 at 10:53 am
    Keep dreaming..lol more like Laurel & Hardy!
    ==========
    Easy now, Boss —

    Mahomes & Watson have a long ways to go before they can even become the rivals that have been Tannehill and Luck.

  21. So, basically Watson is saying that when TB12 retires, he wants to play for the Pats as their next QB and BB will make him a star. I’m ok with that.

  22. Travis Kelce is an embarrassing show boat. Yes he is a good player but he disrespects the game, kids watching, and the other team. I think that behavior escalates hate. I am not saying dont have fun or dont have a cool celebration but geesh. He is the guy that makes a huge deal when he does something he is supposed to do but does nothing when he fails at doing what he is paid to do. I would rather have Ertz or an old Gates or Gronk. I would trade him for a 1 in a heart beat. He looks so stupid in the McDonalds commercial. Bring back an homage to the fun bunch in washington. All about you huh Trav. No QB, center, running game? Douche

  23. Mahomes and Watson will be about as good as Holmes and Watson.

    Sorry I just had to, no one else did. I agree that at least Mahomes will one part of a long, great QB rivalry with someone other than Watson.

  24. First lets see them string together a few good seasons. Once the defence sees enough games and video on how to beat them they with have to adjust … that will be the big test.

  25. The biggest challenge for any young QB is to get past the toughest stage. That is the stage where all the Defensive Coordinators in the NFL begin to learn your tendencies and figure out ways to take you down. So many QB’s have had terrific first and second years only to see their careers become average. The path will only become much more difficult and it will be interesting to see if either Watson or Mahomes can handle it.

  26. rkt4mayor says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:02 am
    Nice try Watson but Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are the next Brady and Manning.

    ———

    Good point. Wentz may have a solid chance of equaling Peyton’s record for nine one-and-dones…. But that all assumes he will make it to the postseason nine times.

  27. rkt4mayor says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:02 am
    Nice try Watson but Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are the next Brady and Manning.
    ————————————————-
    Nice try but Wentz is going to have to make it to the playoffs before he can even be mentioned. He is better compared to Bradford.

  28. Good grief at the hate. He’s not saying either of them are Peyton or Brady. He’s saying he hopes that he and his friend can have a rivalry like they did. You people prove public schools suck.

  29. There’s a strong group of young QBs and it’s too early to tell who will rise to the top. Don’t overlook the one who actually made it to the Super Bowl and there’s this guy at Clemson.

  30. dartmouthstevens says:
    January 29, 2019 at 10:59 am
    Mahomes reminds me more of Joe Montana. Go look at Montana’s early games. He use to run a lot. Its a different era, but the same lots of motion out of the pocket and the same remarkable accuracy.

    Disagree, not in college, not in the pros.

  31. This guy could have cited stats, but instead cited the old man inside him.

    I don’t want my players celebrating first downs when losing (Especially when historically losing… See Roy Williams on the 2008 Lions). But I’m not going to consider a guy a bad player for being excited when making a play. Travis Kelce dances after every catch, and even when he blocks guys, but I don’t think that makes him any less than a top 2 TE in the league (It’s between him and Ertz for sure).

    ———————-

    It is about attitude. Had that first down sealed the game, sure do your little first down pointing celebration. You are down 21-0 and are showing off with your season looking like it is going to end and you direct a little first down dance right in the face of the team that is whooping you? Give me a break. Also – IDK if you have noticed but Kelce has really toned down his attitude and celebrations, seems focused on the team and winning more than ever and it is showing in his production and team record.

  32. Liberalsruineverything says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:22 am

    Brady and Manning never said they wanted to be the next Elway and Marino.
    —————–

    Probably because they had higher aspirations.

  33. Watson is a joke. Another QB anchor pulling down the Texans. Guy plays like trash and misses 5 throws, then he scrambles 10 yards and acts like he owns the league.

  34. Watson is okay – he just needs to be more passer and less runner. He should not even be in the same breath as Mahomes. Clearly Mahomes is the real deal with real talent and he is a real QB – a rare deal in the NFL today filled with 1 year wonder fake QB’s.

  35. I have no problem with him saying it, and I have no problem believing it. While Watson has been hurt, Mahomes joined a club that very few others have even stared at the door…in what is essentially is rookie season. These are transcendent players in a world already favorable to QBs and offenses in general (no I do not think either Brady or Manning are GOATs, play against real defenses and we will talk). What I don’t like about it is that everyone seems to forget there are teams behind these people it is not QB vs QB no matter how sexy it sounds. Without a team, you don’t get to the next level.

    Just as Manning. Or Marino.

  36. For as bad as Watson was in that playoffs, he’s got game and then some. He needs weapons. DHop is a top 5 (3?) WR but what else do they have?

  37. I’d bet cash money that most of those who want to say Montana is better than Brady never actually saw him play live in a full game. Their assessment comes from highlight films. I saw every televised ND , 9ers and KC game that he played in. You see, until SB49, I thought he was the best as well. But I guess because Brady didn’t make a comment about a comedian in the stands he’s second best.

  38. Brady’s TD/INT, Att/TD, ATT/INT numbers all best Montana by a good margin. He’s completed nearly as many passes as Montana attempted. He has 50% more passing yardage. He’s played nearly 3 seasons more games than Joe. 40% more TDs. He has 5 more losses than Montana but 66 more wins, in 45 more games (so far). Brady”s been sacked 104 more times, there goes the “he’s not tough” meme. Joe got blown out sooner, guess they didn’t make them as tough back then.

    Yeah, after all that I can see where some think Joe is better.

  39. Mahomes may be the next GOAT, but I doubt that DeShaun Watson will be anything close. Mahomes has done more early in his career than either Brady or Manning had done in their careers.

  40. Mahomes in already a better QB than Russell Wilson has ever been, and some sports commentators are predicting that Wilson will be in the hall of fame. Mahomes may be a better candidate for HOF than any young QB out there.

  41. A lot of people read the headline and not what Watson actually said. Watson said he wanted to have long rivalry with Mahomes like Brady and Manning’s rivry. He never said he thought either of them were as good as Brady and Manning.

  42. Wentz can’t even stay on the field. The Eagles do not know what they have in either Wentz or Foles besides a division of labor. And maybe that’s the formula … Wentz plays most of the regular season. Foles takes over for the stretch run and playoffs.

  43. There is one stat Brady will never equal that of Montana. Montana is 4-0, or unbeaten in Super Bowls. Brady has lost 3 Super Bowls, twice to the Giants and once to the Eagles. His record is 5-3 in Super Bowls. No one can ever erase a loss from one’s record.

  44. I can see the “get off of my lawn” crowd showed up. Great aspirations from a talented kid.

    Anybody who thinks Watson is Ryan Leaf either doesn’t know history or doesn’t care to know Watson. His story and past is inspirational. While my QB, Mahomes, was groomed his whole life to be able to do this, Watson has had to overcome every obstacle, including being so destitute his mom got a house through Habitat for Humanity. Hes so far from the entitled party boy ryan leaf was and honestly that comment makes you look like a dumb, old, hater. Period.

  45. The interview in the video above shows him saying that if he could talk to his younger self, he would urge him to study film more so he doesn’t have to rely on just athleticism. I think that’s a good sign of maturity. I hope he heeds his own advice and starts studying more in the film room and becoming a more cerebral passer. I look forward to seeing his progress playing the QB position in the coming seasons. Good for you, young man!

  46. “Carroll Prescott says:

    January 29, 2019 at 12:55 pm

    Watson is okay – he just needs to be more passer and less runner.”

    If you had that line you’d run, too.

  47. Funny how everyone forgets how incredible Watson looked his rookie season before getting hurt. IMO, if you put Mahomes on the Texans with BOB calling plays and that horrible offensive line, and put Watson in the Chiefs offense with Andy Reid running the show, things would look a lot different. Mahomes definitely has the advantage with the better coach and offensive system.

  48. How about “no” for both? All five of the Chiefs’ playoff losses this season were against teams with winning records: New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Seattle Seahawks. There’s no “maybe” either when you’ve started your career in the softest era of professional football where Nick Foles threw 7 touchdowns against the Raiders, Ryan Tannehill completed 25 consecutive passes in a perfect game, and Schaub/Stafford passed for over 520 yards in a few games. If you can’t beat playoff contenders, you’re not yet in the discussion. Stop crowning players who haven’t won anything.

  49. omeimontis says:
    January 29, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    There is one stat Brady will never equal that of Montana. Montana is 4-0, or unbeaten in Super Bowls. Brady has lost 3 Super Bowls, twice to the Giants and once to the Eagles. His record is 5-3 in Super Bowls. No one can ever erase a loss from one’s record.

    ___________________________________________________________________

    Terry Bradshaw was unbeaten in super bowls at 4-0. I guess that’s all that matters. He must have been just as great as Montana, right? Oh wait, no, he wasn’t. I guess 3-0 Troy Aikman is better than 2-2 Peyton Manning and 0-1 Dan Marino. Look at everything Tom Brady has accomplished in his career. There are lots of things he’s accomplished that Montana never did. For example, leading the league in touchdown passes four times, winning a league MVP award by a unanimous vote, winning three AP MVP awards, winning a fifth super bowl ring, winning the most playoff games, winning four super bowl MVP awards, having more 4th quarter comebacks, having more regular season game-winning drives, playing in 9 super bowls, having a better conference championship game record, and having the most playoff game-winning drives.

  50. Watson came off a torn ACL, and barely played in the 2018 preseason. He suffered a collapsed lung in the middle of the season, and played effectively with an injury that would put most of us on the couch, missing no games, and losing no games.
    His numbers 2, 3, and 4 receivers played only 7, 6, and 7 games respectively. His primary running back played injured for the last portion of the season, and #2 back only played in one game in 2018. And most importantly, his offensive line just needs improvement.
    Watson’s team finished 11-5 in 2018, and Watson’s rating was 103. For the last 10 regular season games, Watson threw 17 TD and 2 Ints. During the nine-game winning streak, Watson had five 4th quarter come-from-behind victories.
    I have no problems with those who say Watson has to prove it, if he wants to be considered good. But you’ll excuse me if I’m not ready to give up on him quite yet.

  51. footballseasonrules says:
    January 29, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    How about “no” for both? All five of the Chiefs’ playoff losses this season were against teams with winning records: New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Seattle Seahawks.
    ——————–

    What 5 playoff losses did the Chiefs have?

    News flash: The Chiefs had a horrible defense. It’s ridiculously stupid to blame those losses on a quarterback that generated 180+ points in those games.

  52. This thread has shown me that, while many people can read words, very few can comprehend what they mean.

  53. baldbuc says:
    January 29, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Funny how everyone forgets how incredible Watson looked his rookie season before getting hurt.
    —————–

    About as good as RGThree did. How’s he doing these days?

  54. Maybe so, and best of luck to both guys in making it so.

    But with Houston’s coaching & future prospects for their roster, it seems more likely for Watson to play the part of Aaron Rodgers, with the team perennially contending but perennially wheezing out in the playoffs due to what they’re lacking outside the QB position.

  55. Truthfully, Watson is a great QB and yeah, they could both be the face of the league very soon.

    Keep in mind, the ONLY talent Watson has on that Texans offense is Hopkins. The Texans have a horrendous offensive line and are weak at RB, TE, and WR.

    The Texans made the playoffs BECAUSE of Watson. If they’d had Tom Savage, they would have been 3-13.

  56. Am I the only one on here who wonders if Cody Parkey had made the kick, how much different the narrative around Mitch would be? I mean don’t get me wrong, give me Mahomes all day long – but Mitch came through in the clutch and put us in position to win. The confidence that would have been gained could of changed the outlook on #10 going into next year. I’m still not sold on him but hoping he keeps progressing. More passing, less running. Stay healthy.

    And for all the Watson haters out there, the guy has only lost 1 game by more than 1 score since High School. The kid is a winner. Hope he stays healthy.

  57. About as good as RGThree did. How’s he doing these days?
    _________________________

    RGIII didn’t look as good as Watson did as a rookie before he got hurt. Try again.

  58. Yeah and I want my name associated with the Warren Buffet. But do you think that is going to happen? NOT!

    Nice try Watson. Try winning first… then talk about being great.

  59. mmack66 says:
    January 29, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    footballseasonrules says:
    January 29, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    How about “no” for both? All five of the Chiefs’ playoff losses this season were against teams with winning records: New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Seattle Seahawks.
    ——————–

    What 5 playoff losses did the Chiefs have?

    News flash: The Chiefs had a horrible defense. It’s ridiculously stupid to blame those losses on a quarterback that generated 180+ points in those games.

    ________________________________________________________

    Obviously, I meant losses against playoff teams with a winning record. Mahomes threw 2 interceptions against the Patriots and 3 interceptions against the Rams. Both teams are playoff contenders. He was shutout at half-time with a 0-14 score in his own stadium, and it easily could have been 0-17 or 0-21 at the half. I know beating up on the trash Raiders, Niners, Bengals, Broncos, and Cardinals is fun and all, but none of that is saying much in an all-time quarterback discussion. The months of January and February is where it’s all at. Watson wants to talk about potential rivalries in the future that compare to Brady vs. Manning when Mayfield, Mahomes, and himself haven’t won anything.

  60. Not sure about Deshaun Watson but his successor at Clemson, Trevor Lawrence will be for sure. I can see him dueling Mahomes in 3 years and many years to come.

  61. Just when you think there will never be another Brady, along comes Trevor Lawrence. He looks like the GOAT already. He’s Montana, Brady, and Manning all rolled into one.

  62. Nobody should ever compare TB to anyone. Ever. Jordan wishes he could be Tom Brady. I am not a patriots fan at all but please. What he does will never be duplicated. Special player and special human. Just ask anyone with a brain. If James Harrison likes him, that’s all you need to know. He hates every one.

  63. Everyone seems to forget Watson’s rookie stats before he was injured. Stats on pace similar to Mahomes this year. Texans have other offensive issues to fix. Watson ain’t the problem.

    As to Watson’s actual comments, he’s talking about another player he’s known for years, and he’s hoping the two of them can have a long rivalry as pros. I hope they do, too. There’s nothing wrong with the comment, he never compared the two of them to Manning & Brady. Jeez, people need to learn to read before commenting.

  64. vtravi00 says:
    January 29, 2019 at 11:06 am

    Mahomes maybe but Watson, no chance. Watson will be a nice player like Philip Rivers but not an alltimer like Brady or Manning. Mahomes could be an all timer if he continues to put in the time and stay humble. Or he could turn into Cam Newton who won the MVP then thought he was the greatest and stopped working as hard.

    ********************************

    Cam came into the league with that attitude … Mahomes is much more humble from the very beginning, and if he stays injury-free, will be a HOF’er.

  65. Maybe their rivalry will be as epic and long-lived as that great Russell – Kaepernick rivalry we were told was a thing for years to come?

  66. footballseasonrules says:
    January 29, 2019 at 2:39 pm
    How about “no” for both? All five of the Chiefs’ playoff losses this season were against teams with winning records: New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Seattle Seahawks.
    —————————-
    So you would rather the guy lose to teams with losing records? Sorry but I disagree. He lost to the cream of the crop, no shame in that.
    To be fair, at least three of those losses(maybe more) can be attributed directly to the Chiefs defense.

  67. nyneal says:
    January 29, 2019 at 10:57 am
    Mahomes and Watson will end their careers being like Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, and I don’t have to tell you which one will be which.

    =====================================

    well actually, they both look like intelligent young men that make good decisions. maybe you should tell us which one you think will be breaking into houses to steal bc of his drug habit. your veiled shots at black qbs is outrageous mr i love montana and rodgers, two of the most arrogant and selfish players ever.

  68. bagbolt says:
    January 29, 2019 at 12:58 pm
    I wouldn’t put Manning in a sentence with Brady… Ever

    ===============================

    tom brady beats peyton manning led colts, again. that sentence fits the career narrative.

  69. dartmouthstevens says:
    January 29, 2019 at 10:59 am
    Mahomes reminds me more of Joe Montana. Go look at Montana’s early games. He use to run a lot. Its a different era, but the same lots of motion out of the pocket and the same remarkable accuracy.

    ========================================

    only exception was that joe could beat teams with winning records. you know, solid teams.

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