Getty Images
JJ Watt has been a thorn in the side of the Titans for a decade, registering 18.0 sacks against the club – the maximum of any division opponent.
But now, there is a decent chance that Watt will join them.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson said his club had some preliminary discussions with Watt, who was dismissed from rival Texans last week.
“We had some contact,” said Robinson in his videoconference on Tuesday. “It is in the early stages. Obviously, we know his skill set and what he meant to Texans, having played against him twice [a year] and the type of player he is. So we’ll see how most of these guys are becoming available in the next few weeks, we’ll see where their interest is and determine if it’s a path we’ve taken and we’re potentially suitable for some of these guys who become available. “
Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel was the 2014-2016 Texans linebacker coach and the club’s defensive coordinator in 2017, which gave him some familiarity with Watt on a daily basis.
It is not at the same level, but Robinson also has some experience with Watt. The GM noted that he worked for the three-time defensive player of the year when he was with the Patriots and Watt was leaving Wisconsin in 2011.
“He pushed me around the field a lot for about two hours,” said Robinson.
Despite winning AFC South, the Titans need to improve in defense, having finished 24th in allowed points and 28th in allowed yards in 2020. Tennessee had the worst defense in third place in the league, allowing for a conversion rate of 51, 9%.