The Houston Texans and J.J. Watt are headed separate ways. Watt and the team announced Friday the two parties mutually agreed to go in separate directions. He will go down as perhaps the greatest player in franchise history.
Watt was named First-Team All-Pro in five of his 10 seasons with the franchise. He won three Defensive Player of the Year Awards, twice recording 20-plus sacks and also leading the NFL in tackles for a loss three times.
The former Wisconsin product has 101.0 sacks, 282 quarterback hits and 172 tackles for a loss in his career, as well as 25 forced fumbles. Watt even had three receiving touchdowns in 2014.
Alas, Watt's glorious decade has come to an end, and he will prepare for the next chapter in his football career.
The 31-year-old has not been quite as productive in the last two seasons. Watt dealt with more injuries in 2019 and had just 5.0 sacks this past season. Still, he remains one of the most versatile players at the position, racking up seven passes defended and an interception return for a touchdown while also recording 14 tackles for a loss.
Watt should have a number of suitors this spring. Where will he land? Here are the five best teams for Watt as he heads for free agency, plus some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Dallas Cowboys
- Chicago Bears
- New England Patriots
5. Indianapolis Colts
Do the Colts need Watt? Maybe not. But general manager Chris Ballard has persistently spoken about the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.
Ballard paid the large price to acquire DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers last offseason, trading away the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and later signing Buckner to an $84 million contract. That move paid major dividends, however, as Buckner was named First-Team All-Pro and dominated every aspect of the game.
Well, imagine Ballard pairing Buckner with Watt.
The Colts have nose tackle Grover Steward under contract after signing him to a three-year extension this past fall. But both Denico Autry and Justin Houston are free agents.
Watt has traditionally had most of his success lining up opposite offensive guards. However, he can certainly play outside.
Signing Watt would give the Colts the most dangerous defensive line in football. Indy still has to figure out its quarterback situation and could stand for an upgrade or two at wide receiver (perhaps re-signing T.Y. Hilton), but nearly $70 million in cap space suggests they could make a run at Watt.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers look like the perfect fit for Watt. After all, heading to Pittsburgh would allow him to play alongside both his brothers.
Indeed, T.J. Watt almost immediately reacted to the new of Watt's release by imploring him to come to Pittsburgh:
https://t.co/HacHLcXJI6 pic.twitter.com/6ACIM6YYOZ
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 12, 2021
The move also makes plenty of sense considering Bud Dupree is heading for free agency and figures to get a sizable contract.
Stephon Tuitt and the younger Watt set the edge for Pittsburgh's defense, and Cameron Heyward still dominates inside. The Steelers could sign J.J. and move him all over the defensive line, undoubtedly making one of the NFL's top defenses even stronger.
The obvious issue here is the Steelers' lack of cap space.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has said he will restructure his contract. Longtime center Maurkice Pouncey announced his retirement Friday, seemingly opening up some space.
Still, as of now, the Steelers rank toward the bottom of the NFL in terms of salary cap. Plus, Pouncey's retirement places a greater emphasis on upgrading the offensive line, particularly since offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva is a free this spring.
There is some sentimentality involved with respect to this selection, but it ultimately might not make sense for the Steelers to pursue Watt unless he really takes a big discount.
3. Cleveland Browns
Watt heading to the Dawg Pound would rapidly bolster Cleveland's championship hopes.
The Browns ranked 11th in Pro Football Focus' pass-rush rankings for 2020, with a defensive front headlined by Myles Garrett. The former No.1 pick was named First-Team All-Pro after racking up 12.0 sacks and four forced fumbles. Defensive end Oliver Vernon also had 9.0 sacks and a team-high 12 tackles for a loss.
But Vernon is headed for free agency, as is defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Plus, Vernon suffered a torn Achilles in the regular-season finale.
Watt would not only supply the Browns with an elite rushing presence, but also help set the edge while occasionally dropping into coverage and soft zones. He would be a handful to deal with opposite Garrett.
Cleveland is likely to pursue secondary upgrades in the offseason, especially at the safety position. But supplementing the pass rush with Watt could alleviate some of the pressure on the secondary given his ability to get to the quarterback and also stuff the run. Not to mention, heading to the AFC North would allow Watt to play against his brothers twice a year.
The Browns currently project to have close to $22 million in salary cap space, which is 11th in the NFL.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If Watt is starving for a title, why not link up with the defending Super Bowl champions?
Todd Bowles and the rest of Tampa's defense showcased its quality in a Super Bowl drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs, with the front four generating steady pressure and linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David flying all over the field. They have a ton of talent on that side of the ball.
But here's the thing: the Buccaneers will have decisions to make this offseason.
Tampa Bay has a number of impact free agents this spring, notably David, edge rusher Shaquil Barrett and wide receiver Chris Godwin. Head coach Bruce Arians suggested during the championship boat parade the Bucs would keep the crew together, perhaps pointing to internal moves rather than internal upgrades.
Indeed, Barrett and Godwin could both cost a pretty penny. David might take a bit of a pay cut to return to the only franchise he has known, but that is hardly a guarantee.
Still, Watt could make sense for Tampa if the money works. Ndamukong Suh is also a free agent this spring, and the Buccaneers could opt to sign Watt instead of re-signing Suh, given Watt is over two years younger.
1. Green Bay Packers
Signing Watt makes too much sense for the Packers.
Yes, Green Bay has money issues. Yes, Aaron Jones is a free agent. But the Packers need to solidify the defensive front, and who better to fill the void than the local kid?
The Packers' pass rush ranked 15th in the NFL, per PFF. Preston Smith saw a sharp decline in his numbers, and Za'Darius Smith was the only guy with more than 5.0 sacks (Smith had 12.5). Green Bay needs to generate pressure and could just as easily replace Preston Smith with Watt if they can create some cap flexibility.
Here is the other reality: the Packers are going to start molding the roster for Aaron Rodgers.
The 2020 NFL MVP caused a stir with his postgame comments after the NFC Championship Game. Rodgers is likely to stay put, but the Packers would do well to heed his input. It would be wise for Rodgers to lobby on Watt's behalf, especially given the admiration Watt has for Rodgers.
Green Bay is on the cusp of another Super Bowl. The chance to win a Super Bowl for the hometown team could be incredibly alluring to Watt.
Follow Us
Subscribe