Subscribe
Follow Us
The Green Bay Packers are fresh off consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the game and a host of defensive playmakers. But the Packers are also desperate to get over the hump. This is where JJ Watt comes into the picture.
Green Bay's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stung on a number of levels. The Packers often looked the superior team during the contest. However, critical turnovers led to Bucs scores, and lapses in the secondary paired with questionable play-calling eventually resulted in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine being shown the door. Now, it's back to square one.
The Packers have a number of free agents this spring, notably star-running back Aaron Jones. They also rank towards the bottom of the NFL in terms of cap space. Still, it is imperative they make a run at free-agent defensive lineman JJ Watt.
The former Houston Texans star mutually agreed to part ways with his old team last week and should be one of the more coveted free agents on the market. He could also help transform Green Bay's defense.
Here are three reasons the Packers need to sign Watt when free agency opens in March.
Hometown connection
First and foremost, Watt is the local kid.
The 31-year-old was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He began his collegiate career at Central Michigan, but ultimately starred for the Wisconsin Badgers.
There is something to be said for a player who has the opportunity to come home, especially when the hometown team would arguably give that player the best chance to win now. Watt wants to win a Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers is hungry to get his second Lombardi, and has hinted significant change could be necessary. Why not do whatever it takes to bring Watt aboard?
Aside from Watt's personal connection to the Packers, there is another geographic component in play. His wife, Kealia, plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League.
Signing with Green Bay would give JJ Watt the closest proximity to his wife, other than joining the Chicago Bears or Indianapolis Colts. Might that also be a driving factor in his decision?
The Packers have some leverage here. They can sell Watt on playing for his hometown team alongside one of the best quarterbacks in league history. Not to mention, he could join a defensive unit already consisting of defensive playmakers like Za'Darius Smith and Darnell Savage, among others.
The Preston Smith dilemma
Of course, if the Packers hope to sign Watt, they will have to manifest some cap space. Cutting Preston Smith would be a route to creating more financial flexibility.
Smith carries a cap hit of $16 million next season. Cutting him would cost $8 million against the dead cap, but it would also save the Packers $8 million in the immediate sense. If shedding that money helps Green Bay to sign JJ Watt, it would be well worth the risk.
Smith was exceptional for the Packers in 2019, racking up 12.0 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 11 tackles for a loss. But Smith's productivity waned in 2020. He had fewer sacks, quarterback hits, and combined tackles, even playing a lesser number of defensive snaps.
The 28-year-old received a 53.1 grade from Pro Football Focus, which is not ideal for a guy the Packers count on to set the edge and make plays in the defensive backfield.
But while Smith might not be the answer up front, Watt would be an ideal fit in Green Bay.
Still dominant/perfect fit
JJ Watt was another guy who saw his production decline in 2020.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year only had 5.0 sacks and 17 quarterback hits, though he still managed to record 14 tackles for a loss. However, the numbers only tell part of the story.
For starters, Watt headlined a horrendous Texans defense, with few other impact players in the front seven. He also led the league in double-team percentage, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Interestingly enough, Za'Darius Smith ranked just behind Watt in that category.
J.J. Watt was double teamed more than any other edge rusher in the NFL last season – at a rate 30.1%, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Za’Darius Smith was second (27.2%). That alone likely makes Watt intriguing to Packers’ GM Brian Gutekunst, who… https://t.co/hv1lvaNZlM
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 15, 2021
Despite the general defensive ineptitude and constant doubles, Watt still managed to dominate getting to the passer when lining up opposite guards, and he sabotaged opposing rushing attacks from the edge (thread).
The Packers need a playmaker who can line up anywhere along the line and occasionally help the linebackers by dropping into coverage. Watt would also likely take some of the focus off Za'Darius Smith, which could only make Green Bay's pass-rushing unit that much more dangerous.
Stopping the run will be a key component of the Packers' success next year, as well. Green Bay allowed 4.5 yards per carry to opposing rushers last season, which ranked 21st in the NFL. As previously established, JJ Watt is a wrecking ball with his ability to bring down ballcarriers in the backfield.
The Packers have a number of tough decisions to make on both sides of the ball. But there are reasons Watt should be at the top of general manager Brian Gutekunst's wish list this spring.
