Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press
The Houston Texans reportedly understand that the defensive side JJ Watt “deserves clarity” about his future with the franchise at a potential crossroads after a request for change from quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported on Saturday that “it might make more sense” for Watt and the Texans to go their separate ways:
In addition, the mood in the Houston locker room after his late season loss to the Tennessee Titans on January 3, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year “played his last game like a Texan”, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer.
Watt has one season left in his six-year $ 100 million contract. Texans can release it or trade it and eliminate their entire $ 17.5 million limit reached for 2021 with no money left in the future.
The 31-year-old Wisconsin native was virtually impossible to block during his first five seasons, after Houston chose him in the first round of the 2011 draft. He recorded 371 tackles in total, 74.5 sacks, 45 defended passes, 15 forced fumbles and two touchdowns in his first 80 career games.
His career was hampered by injuries after that dominant start. He missed most of the next two seasons because of two back surgeries in 2016 and knee surgery in 2017.
Watt recovered with 16 bags in 2018, but he has only counted nine bags in 24 participations in the past two years.
The Texans’ defense as a whole fought hard in 2020, ranking 30th in allowed yards (416.8 per game) and 27th in allowed points (29 per game) as part of a disappointing 4-12 season.
Watt’s frustration was evident in December, when he talked about players who don’t always give 100 percent.
“We are professional athletes who receive a lot of money”, Watt he told reporters. “If you can’t get in and work on the building, go to the practice field and work hard, do your elevators and do what you should be doing, you shouldn’t be here. This is a job. We are getting a lot of money. “
After the final against the Titans, he was shown by NFL Films to apologize to Watson for the team’s inability to capitalize on the quarterback’s fantastic season:
Now, the futures of the stars can be linked.
If Texans can somehow convince Watson to terminate his exchange order and play in 2021, the front office may choose to keep Watt as a measure of good faith to show that he is dedicated to victory.
If Houston decides to transfer its quarterback from the franchise, however, it is likely that the five-time Pro Bowl scorer will also see his time with the team come to an end.
Watt would generate a lot of interest from candidates for the title if he joined the free agency.