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 assessed the performance in a post-match press conference. “I think he probably wants some throws back,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, playing football for the first time in a while, I thought it was important to get out there with his teammates in that draft, just to hear a different voice in the helmet, things like that. I’m sure he had butterflies and jitters early on. But I think he understands there’s work to be done.” Stefanski said he doesn’t think the drama surrounding Watson’s off-court issue is affecting his performance. Stefanski also played down the idea that not playing with other players was a factor. “They had a bunch of players that they don’t play either,” Stefanski said. “So I don’t deal with it too much. It’s just — you know, it’s our first game out there. And I think you can tell. You know, I think Jacksonville had a game. So for us, just to knock off some rust and then get back to work.” Stefanksi remained duly concerned about the situation with Watson. “I think it was important for him to get out there in a game environment, under the lights, with new teammates and go to surgery,” Stefanski said. “It wouldn’t be perfect. And even if it was perfect, you can’t overreact to it. So I think it was all part of the evolution for him.” As for Watson’s unexpected apology before the game, Stefanski seemed to welcome it. “I’ve been around Deshaun now for a couple of months and I know he wants to grow,” Stefanski said. “I know he does. And this is personal; this is professional. And I think he’s very, very serious about doing that. And I think that’s part of that next step for him.” It’s a step that comes much later than it should, frankly. So much could have been avoided if Watson had acknowledged his behavior and made real amends when the allegations were first made. If he had people around him who had spoken had truths instead of circling the wagons, maybe that would have happened. The reckoning always comes. The question is whether it is embraced or resisted. The longer it resists, the worse it tends to be in the end.