Defensive end J.J. Watt was released over the weekend by the Houston Texans after requesting the move. A potential path to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is missing a Super Bowl ring, and the 31-year-old has made it clear he wants to sign with a contender. So, where is the three-time Defensive Player of the Year headed for the 2021 season? Well, here are a few options and the odds.
The Favorites
The early favorites for Watt’s services both have sentimental reasons. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers are both listed at +400 to sign Watt. The Watt family is based in Wisconsin, and J.J. wore a hoodie for his alma mater, Wisconsin, in his farewell video. The Packers already play a 3-4 defense and need defensive line help, but their salary cap situation needs some help as they are $28 million over the projected cap.
The Steelers provide the one thing that no other NFL team can give J.J. Watt. The chance to play with his brothers. Linebacker T.J. and fullback Derek are both on Pittsburgh’s AFC North champion roster, but the Steelers are way over the cap as they prepare to make difficult decisions on some high-priced veterans of their own.
The Next Wave
The Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears are both +800, while the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are +900 to sign Watt. All four teams were in the playoffs in 2020 and provide Watt with great opportunities. Picture him lining up opposite superstar Khalil Mack in Chicago or teaming up with young stud Myles Garrett in Cleveland or Jerry Hughes in Buffalo. Not to mention the Super Bowl champion line that dominated the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month. All would give Watt a great chance at a Super Bowl run.
Longer Shots
The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are both +1200, while the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens are +2000, and the Seattle Seahawks are +2500. These teams are not afraid to spend money on veterans, and they have all recently brought in players similar to Watt on one or two-year deals. Watt played for Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel in Houston from 2014-17 while Baltimore could be losing Derek Wolfe to free agency.
Dallas would love to snag a star from Houston and win the PR war with their neighbors. Plus, Jerry Jones loves the big shiny toy, but they also have some cap problems depending on what happens with Dak Prescott’s contract. Seattle has brought in Jadeveon Clowney and Carlos Dunlap over the last two years and would have no difficulty adjusting Watt to their locker room.
The Colts had one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2020 and will have open cap space after quarterback Philip Rivers’ retirement. They may need some of that space for quarterback Carson Wentz, but they are overall in good shape to add Watt to a line that already includes DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart in front of linebacker Darius Leonard.
Pouncey Twins Retire
Twins Maurkice and Mike Pouncey both retired from the NFL over the weekend after a combined 21 seasons in the league, mostly at center. Maurkice was the 18th overall selection in the 2010 draft and spent all 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike was the 15th overall selection in the 2011 draft and played ten seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers.
The twins both played collegiately at the University of Florida, winning a National Championship in 2009 under Urban Meyer while protecting quarterback Tim Tebow. Maurkice made nine Pro Bowls, and his retirement saves the Steelers $8 million in salary-cap space. Mike’s career ended in September when he landed on IR with hip surgery, and the four-time Pro Bowler missed part of the 2019 season with a neck injury.
