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ESPN’s Ed Werder reported on Friday that “about a dozen teams” had already shown interest in JJ Watt just hours after his release from the Texans became official.
Werder named Steelers, Browns, Bills and Titans.
Add the Packers to that list.
Bill Huber of SI.com reports that Green Bay has expressed an interest in signing with Watt, now a free agent.
Packers make sense, although they, like many teams, need to work to make it work financially.
The team restructured the contract for left All-Pro player David Bakhtiari, creating $ 8.3 million of capitalization space, but the Packers still need more moves to reach below any final salary limit.
Watt, who turns 32 next month, wants to play for an opponent. The Packers are that, having made it to the NFC Championship Game the past two seasons and with MVP Aaron Rodgers as quarterback.
Watt grew up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, which is 133 miles from Green Bay, and played at the University of Wisconsin. He rooted for the Packers as a child.
Watt leaves the Texans after 128 games, 101 sacks, 172 loss tackles, 282 quarterback strikes, 25 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries in 10 seasons. He is three times Defensive Player of the Year.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur praised Watt before his 2020 meeting, calling him “one of the league’s top players”.