Watson 'excited' about Texans' retooled receiving core

Despite losing DeAndre Hopkins to a widely criticized trade, Deshaun Watson is optimistic about the direction of the Houston Texans' passing game.

"We're excited about the veteran weapons, the new weapons that we have," Watson said Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. "Over the past couple of years, we haven't had too much veteran depth, especially in the receiving room.

"For us to get a couple of guys to come in and be able to help us produce and play a lot of football, not just to elevate their game but our game as a whole organization, as a whole offense, and as a quarterback, I'm very excited about it. I'm looking forward to it."

After dealing away an All-Pro in Hopkins at the beginning of free agency, the Texans signed Randall Cobb and acquired Brandin Cooks from the Los Angeles Rams. The AFC South champions retained Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, and Keke Coutee from last year's receiving core.

The Texans will also have a first-time play-caller in 2020, as offensive coordinator Tim Kelly is taking those responsibilities from head coach Bill O'Brien.

"Tim is going to kill it," Watson said. "He's going to do great. We're already on a great start. We built a great relationship starting last year, being together each and every day. I'm looking forward to it, and we've been doing well."

Houston is expected to spend the next several weeks working on a long-term extension for Watson, who is under control for two more seasons.

The 24-year-old continued his ascension into the top tier of quarterbacks last season, throwing for 3,852 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding seven more scores on the ground.