DeAndre Hopkins and JJ Watt helped bring four AFC Southern division titles to Houston. Hopkins hopes that Watt can help do more of the same in Arizona.
Hopkins, a perennial Pro Bowl receiver who traded from Houston to Arizona last season, posted a picture of himself and Watt with the Cardinals’ T-shirts on his Instagram account on Tuesday. The post also included Hopkins’ introduction to Watt to join forces with him in Arizona.
“We will finish what we have declared,” wrote Hopkins.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is set to become a free agent next month, responded to Hopkins’ post. Currently a Steelers member, Smith-Schuster encouraged Watt to “come play with your brothers“in Pittsburgh.
Although the Cardinals are not supposed to be willing to land Watt, they would certainly make some sense. The 2020 Cardinals had 6-3 before injuries played a role in the 8-8 submission. Arizona almost ended the five-year drought in the playoffs.
Hopkins is not alone in the talented list of Cardinals that includes quarterback Kyler Murray, safety Budda Baker, cornerback Patrick Peterson and outside linebackers Chandler Jones and Haason Reddick. The Cardinals have several pending free agents, including Peterson, Reddick, receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Kenyan running back Drake. The current projected salary cap for the team is $ 13.5 million, according to Over the Cap.
In Arizona, Watt joined the Cardinals defense that finished fourth in the NFL with 48 sacks last season. Arizona’s defense also finished 12th in red zone scoring and efficiency, 10th in passing and third in red zone efficiency. The Cardinals could improve significantly in race defense, however, as they were only 22nd in the league in that department in 2020.
Being reasonably rewarded, playing for a team of the Super Bowl caliber and being part of a strong culture are among the requirements that Watt is looking for in his next team. While the Cardinals ‘prospects at the 2021 Super Bowl are decent, meeting Hopkins and being part of a talented defense are among the Cardinals’ main arguments. Cardinals also have stability. Owner Michael Bidwell has had a successful partnership with Steve Keim, who is entering his ninth season as the team’s general manager. During Keim’s time in the desert, the Cardinals had considerable success with veteran players who spent most of their careers on other teams. In 2015, veterans Carson Palmer, running back Chris Johnson and Dwight Freeney helped Arizona reach the NFC Championship Game. Each player praised his experience with the organization of the Cardinals.
“Five years [with the Cardinals] it was not enough for me, ” Palmer said upon learning that he was being added to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2019. “I wish we had arrived earlier, as you know, but I am beyond honor and I can’t wait. This is amazing.”
The Cardinals will face fierce competition if they want to acquire the NFL’s three-time Defensive Player of the Year. A dozen teams have already expressed interest in Watt, who is strongly considering the Cleveland Browns as a possible landing site. Titans general manager Jon Robinson confirmed on Tuesday that Tennessee had made contact with Watt’s representatives. Watt spent four seasons working alongside Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who served as Houston’s defensive coordinator before his arrival in Tennessee.
Steelers can also be a landing site for Watt, as Pittsburgh already employs Watt’s younger brothers in linebacker TJ Watt and defender Derek Watt. Packers are also considered a favorite to land Watt, a native of Wisconsin.