HOUSTON – The Houston Texans parted ways with defensive star JJ Watt after he asked for his release.
Watt was chosen by the Texans in 2011 with the 11th choice and became the face of the franchise, winning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2012-15. Watt is one of three players to win the prize three times.
“I sat down with the McNair family and asked for my release and we mutually agreed to split up right now,” said Watt in a video posted on Twitter. “I came here 10 years ago as a boy from Wisconsin who had never really been to Texas before. And now I can’t imagine my life without Texas in it. The way you treated me, besides the draft night. I mean, you booed me on draft night. But every day after that, you treated me like family. And I really feel that you are my family.
“… I am excited and looking forward to a new opportunity and I have been working very hard. But at the same time, it is always difficult to move on. And I just want you to know that I love you. I thank the McNair family for climbing me and give my first opportunity in the NFL. “
Watt is only coming out of his second season of 16 games since 2015, as he has dealt with several injuries at the end of the season since then.
Houston, I wanted you to hear it directly from me … pic.twitter.com/YqT3P6Lb6l
– JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 12, 2021
“Changing is never easy, especially when it involves those you love. JJ’s impact not only on our organization, but on the entire Houston community, is unlike any other player in the history of our franchise,” said the president and CEO Texans Cal McNair in a prepared statement. “I told JJ earlier this week that we are going to consider him a Texan forever. We take comfort in knowing that this is not goodbye, but a ‘goodbye’. For now, let’s build on the foundation that JJ created here and move forward with our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston. “
In 2020, Watt ranked 15th out of 119 qualified pass rushers at Pass Rush Win Rate, according to the ESPN Stats & Information survey. He ended the season with five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception, he returned for a touchdown.
Watt is by far the most productive pass rusher in Texas history, with 101 layoffs. There have only been two players in the team’s history with over 30 career sacks (Whitney Mercilus with 54 and Mario Williams with 53) since the franchise’s first season in 2002.
During the season, Watt made it clear that he was not interested in playing for a team in “reconstruction”.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I don’t have 10 years in this league anymore,” said Watt in November. “I personally believe that I still have a few more big ones in me. But you can’t either … I’m not looking to rebuild. I’m looking to go after a championship, and that’s what I want to do.”
When asked at the end of the season if he felt that the 2021 Texans would be in reconstruction mode, Watt said that there are “so many unknown factors to this situation now that you cannot say that for good.”
Watt had one year left of the contract he signed in 2014. He owed $ 17.5 million in 2021, but his salary was not guaranteed. He is now free to sign with another team.